Netanyahu expressed his thoughts on the cease-fire and war in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at a "partial" ceasefire with Gaza's armed group Hamas. So that at least some, if not all, of the Israeli hostages can be repatriated from Gaza.But he is still unwilling to agree to any deal that would pave the way for an end to the war in Gaza. In an interview given to the Israeli television station Channel Fourteen on Sunday, Netanyahu said, "Our goal is to bring back the hostages and eliminate the rule of Hamas in Gaza."The Gaza war has been going on for more than eight months. Thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets several times in the past few months to demand the safe return of hostages from Gaza. The main demands of the protesters are quick return of hostages at any cost and early elections in the country.
Last month, US President Joe Biden proposed a six-week cease-fire agreement in three phases, outlining the path to negotiations for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. At the time, US officials said Israel "agreed" to their cease-fire proposal. But neither Netanyahu nor any Israeli official has said anything about formally agreeing to the US offer. Rather, they have repeatedly said that Israel will continue its operations until Hamas is eliminated from Gaza.In the interview, Netanyahu said, "Their military campaign in Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, is at the end." The intense fight against Hamas is also at an end. But that doesn't mean the war is over. Israel wants to establish a civilian administration to run Gaza after eliminating Hamas.
Netanyahu said, "If possible, the administration will be formed with local Palestinians." Also, the assistance of other countries in the region may be taken to provide humanitarian relief to Gaza.Israel is now at risk of being drawn into another war despite talks of de-escalation of the war in Gaza. Since the start of the Gaza war, there have been almost daily counter-attacks by Israeli forces along the northern Lebanese border with Hezbollah, the country's paramilitary force. The border conflict is now at risk of turning into an all-out war with both sides fighting for words.
In this regard, Netanyahu said, "for the sake of self-defense" he will soon deploy more troops to the northern border. This will be done for self-defense and return of refugees, he said.
The Israel-Hezbollah conflict has forced thousands of people from northern Israel and southern Lebanon to flee their homes for their lives.US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged Israel to avoid tensions with Lebanon.
Blinken made the call during a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant on Monday.
Gallant-Blinken discussed the meeting with the aim of reaching an agreement for the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently publicly criticized the US. He said that the United States is delaying the delivery of weapons to Israel.Israel's Defense Minister Gallant visited Washington in the context of uneasy relations with close ally the United States. The purpose of his visit is to remove the discomfort in the relationship.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken and Gallant had a two-hour meeting. Blinken discussed indirect diplomacy between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people, including securing the release of all hostages in Gaza.
There has been a recent escalation of counter-attacks between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. In this context, the United States is urging Israel not to increase the tension.William Barnes, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), is playing an important role for the United States in negotiating the release of hostages held by Hamas. Gallant also met him during his visit to Washington.
Before the meeting with the CIA chief, Gallant said, he wants to emphasize that the return of the hostages is the main commitment of Israel. They will continue all possible efforts to bring them back.
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