On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out a ceasefire in Gaza, claiming Israel’s force was doing “exceptionally well,” but he emphasized that Israel did not intend to reoccupy the Palestinian territory.
“A ceasefire with Hamas means surrender,” he told Fox News, adding that there was no “timetable” for launching the military attack.
“I think the Israeli army is performing exceptionally well,” he said.
“However long it takes, we’ll do it.”
Israel has threatened to destroy Hamas after the terrorist group flooded across the border from Gaza on October 7, murdering 1,400 people, primarily civilians, and kidnapping another 240 more.
According to the UN, the retaliatory aerial bombardment and ground attack have killed over 10,800 people in Gaza, the majority of whom were civilians, many of whom were children.
Hamas controls the health ministry.
Netanyahu stated that Israel has no long-term plans to remain in Gaza.
“We do not intend to govern Gaza.” “We don’t want to occupy it; we want to give it and ourselves a better future,” he added, adding that Israel does not “want to displace anyone.”
When pressed on his future plans for Gaza, he stated that the poor and blockaded area must be “demilitarised, deradicalised, and rebuilt.”
“We’ll have to find a government, a civilian government that will be there,” he continued, without specifying who such a government may be.
He also stated that Israeli soldiers must remain prepared to infiltrate Gaza and “kill the killers.”
“That’s what will prevent the reemergence of a Hamas-like entity.” The October 7th assault and its aftermath
The confrontation arose as Israel drew closer to a peace agreement with Saudi Arabia, building on the so-called Abraham agreements, which normalized relations with a number of Arab countries.
Netanyahu emphasized that the battle would not derail diplomatic progress and that when Israel defeats Hamas, conditions would be “ripe” for discussions to begin.
“I believe the conditions will be favorable. In fact, I believe they’ll be much riper following a victory.”
