Israel Won’t End War Until All Objectives Are Achieved: PM Netanyahu

In a recent statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israel will not agree to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza until its strategic war aims are fully realized. 

Netanyahu emphasized that the destruction of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, the release of all hostages, and the neutralization of Gaza as a threat to Israel are non-negotiable conditions for ending the conflict.

This declaration follows U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement of a proposed three-stage plan aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire. 

According to Biden, the plan includes a comprehensive ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, and the exchange of hostages. 

Subsequent phases involve the release of all remaining hostages, including male soldiers, and the return of deceased Israeli hostages. 

The final stage focuses on a major reconstruction effort with international assistance to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure.

Netanyahu’s stance remains firm despite Biden’s diplomatic push. 

His office reiterated that Israel's conditions for ending the war remain unchanged, highlighting the necessity of dismantling Hamas's capabilities and ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens. 

Netanyahu's statement underscores a clear message: no deal will be signed until these objectives are met.

A senior Hamas official indicated willingness to consider the deal if Israel commits to it. 

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, expressed that while Hamas welcomes the plan, the next step depends on Israel's actions. 

He pointed out that despite Netanyahu's firm stance, Israel has yet to achieve its stated aims and that Palestinian resistance would continue if the occupation persists.

The proposal from President Biden appears to offer a potential pathway for both sides to claim partial victory. 

For Hamas, the plan explicitly suggests a permanent ceasefire, a key demand. 

For Israel, it implies the degradation of Hamas’s operational capabilities, a critical goal for Israeli security.

However, significant opposition to the plan is expected within Israel. 

Far-right elements of Netanyahu’s coalition have threatened to withdraw support if any agreement perceived as a concession to Hamas is made. 

This political friction could potentially destabilize Netanyahu’s government. 

Yet, influential opposition leader Yair Lapid has pledged support for Netanyahu if he endorses the ceasefire deal, offering a political "safety net" in the event of coalition fallout.

Interestingly, Netanyahu’s latest statement did not reference the term “total victory,” a phrase he has previously used to describe Israel’s military objectives in Gaza. 

This omission may provide Netanyahu with some flexibility to negotiate without appearing to make major concessions to Hamas.

The conflict, which began in October following a devastating attack by Hamas gunmen that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 252 hostages, has seen significant escalation, particularly in the city of Rafah. 

Israeli forces claim to have operational control over the Gaza-Egypt border, and upcoming meetings in Cairo involving U.S., Israeli, and Egyptian officials are expected to address the reopening of the Rafah crossing to facilitate aid into Gaza.

With more than 36,000 fatalities reported by the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. 

The world watches closely as diplomatic efforts intensify, hoping for a resolution that will end the suffering and bring lasting peace to the region. 

However, as Prime Minister Netanyahu has made clear, any such resolution will only come when Israel’s stringent conditions are unequivocally met.