Israel will not agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas that leaves its hostages in Gaza or the Islamist group in power of the region, an Israeli spokesman has said.

Eylon Levy told reporters today the goals of the war were unchanged and that they were the “destruction of Hamas’ governing and military capabilities in the Gaza Strip and the return of all the hostages”.

“There will be no ceasefire that leaves the hostages in Gaza and Hamas in power,” he said.

He also said efforts were ongoing to bring about the release of the hostages.

Hezbollah launches missiles at Israeli air base for the second time

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has launched missiles at a significant Israeli air base on Mount Meron for the second time in a month, the group said in a statement today.

They said today’s barrage was in response to “recent assassinations in Lebanon and Syria, and the repeated attacks on civilians and homes” in southern Lebanon.

It is not clear if the missiles caused any damage, but Israel’s Channel 12, citing an Israeli military official, reported 12 missiles were launched toward Mount Meron, of which four were shot down and six landed in open areas. 

The station said there was “no impact” on the functioning of the base in northern Israel.

Hezbollah previously struck the air base in retaliation for a presumed Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs on 2 January that killed senior Hamas official Saleh Arouri.