Benjamin Netanyahu he doesn’t give up. Despite warnings from the Israeli army that neutralization is impossible Hamasthe explicit request for a ceasefire reiterated by the G7 and the multiple warnings from the United Nations, the Israeli prime minister continues to repeat that the war in Gaza Strip it won’t end until the pro-Palestinian group destroyed. Of course, Netanyahu said he was ready to suspend the fighting for “a partial agreement“in exchange for the release of the hostages, but do not intend to change the mind of Tel Aviv’s public enemy number one.”We are obliged to continue fighting even after the truce, to achieve our goal of destroying Hamas: I am not willing to give up on this“, he declared in the first interview given to an Israeli newspaper since October 7, broadcast late yesterday by the channel Channel 14considered close to his political positions.
Netanyahu’s position
The head of the Israeli government reiterated his desire to erase Hamas from the face of the earth and announced that the phase of intense fighting in the Gaza Strip, and in particular in Rafah, is coming to an end. Despite this, Israel is preparing for a potential flare-up of the conflict.
Specifically, when asked if he was willing to reach an agreement with Hamas once the high-intensity phase of the conflict was over, as part of the commitment to end the war, Netanyahu was emblematic: “No. I am not willing to end the war and leave Hamas in its place“. The leader, however, explained that he was ready to accept a partial agreement: “I’m ready to make a partial deal, it’s no secret, that would give us some people back“.
For what concern future of Gaza, is “clear“which Israel will keep”military control in the near future“, added Netanyahu, looking at the creation of “acivil administrationif possible with local Palestinians” and regional support “to manage humanitarian supplies and subsequently civil affairs in the Strip“.
The future of Gaza, tensions with Lebanon and Israel’s possible moves
Netanyahu’s interview is full of other details. For example, the Israeli prime minister, who opposes the return ofPalestinian National Authority in the coastal enclave, he did not go into detail about Gaza’s future, but reported that he “he’s trying another plan” presented by the armed forces. However, the option of a return of Israeli settlers to the Strip, as requested by its far-right government allies, has been excluded.”It is unrealistic and does not achieve the objectives of the war“, claimed.
Regarding the dossier Lebanonthe head of government explained that he intends “redeploy some forces to the north primarily for defensive purposes“. And about a potential large-scale conflict with Hezbollah, stressed that he hopes for a diplomatic solution, but is preparing for the possibility that it may not happen. “We can fight on multiple fronts, we are prepared for this“. The objective is to physically remove the pro-Iran Shiite group from the border, so as to “bring northern residents back to their homes“.
Exhorting “to the unit” internally against the harsh anti-government demonstrations that have started to shake the country again and pressure from the opposition, Netanyahu again avoided taking any responsibility for October 7, calling for a focus on the war and postponing any assessment once it is over.”This is not the time to discuss it, there will be time to do so once this intense conflict is over“.
After the interview, Israeli newspapers reported negative comments from sources involved in the negotiations, both on the Palestinian and Israeli side: the prime minister’s statements make it difficult to reach an agreement, they argue. The Hostages’ Families Forum also pointed the finger at his statements.
“It is abandoning 120 hostages and damaging the moral duty of the State of Israel towards its citizens“, the group said in a statement. But Netanyahu’s office reiterated that it is “Hamas is the one opposing the deal, not Israel“.
