(Washington) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Thursday evening that Israel’s objective was neither to govern nor to occupy Gaza, where the army was progressing, according to him, “exceptionally well” in its offensive against Hamas. .
“I think the Israeli army is operating in an exceptional manner,” he declared on the American channel Fox News, once again rejecting the idea of a cease-fire.
“There is one thing we have not accepted, and that is a ceasefire. A ceasefire with Hamas means a surrender” and “there won’t be one without the release of the hostages,” said Mr. Netanyahu, when asked about his talks with American President Joe Biden.
“But we agreed to set up secure corridors” for the passage of the civilian population from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip, he said.
The leader asserted that Israel had no intention of remaining in Gaza long term.
“We are not seeking to govern Gaza. We are not seeking to occupy it, but we are seeking to give it and us a better future,” he said, adding that Israel was not seeking to “displace anyone.”
Asked about his plan for the future of the Palestinian territory, he said it must be “demilitarized, deradicalized and reconstructed.” “We will have to find a government, a civilian government that will be there,” he added, without specifying who could form such a government.
Concerning the advance on the ground of the Israeli army, the Israeli Prime Minister estimated that it “operates exceptionally well in its fight against terrorists on the ground and underground”. “We will continue until we eradicate Hamas” and “nothing will stop us,” he said.
“I have set goals, but I have not set a timetable because it may take longer,” he said. “I would like it to take a short time. But we are moving forward step by step, reducing our losses while trying to reduce and minimize civilian losses and maximize the losses of Hamas terrorists and, so far, I think everything is going well.”
The conflict began as Israel moved closer to a peace deal with Saudi Arabia. Mr. Netanyahu insisted that the conflict would not torpedo diplomatic dynamics and that conditions would be “ripe” for the resumption of negotiations after the destruction of Hamas.
“I think the conditions will be met. In fact, after a victory, I think they will be even more mature,” he said.
The war in Gaza began on October 7 with the Hamas massacres – 1,400 dead in Israel, mainly civilians, according to the Israeli authorities. To “annihilate” Hamas, the Israeli army bombs the 2.4 million Gazans day and night and at least 10,800 of them have been killed, according to the Hamas Ministry of Health.