Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he would only accept a ceasefire deal with Hamas if the agreement allowed Israel to resume military operations in Gaza following the hostages were freed.
JERUSALEM, July 7 (Xinhua) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he would only accept a ceasefire deal with Hamas if the agreement would allow Israel to resume military operations in Gaza following the hostages are released.
As international mediators prepare for talks in Cairo to advance negotiations, Netanyahu has outlined five non-negotiable conditions for ending the nine-month conflict. He stressed that any deal must allow Israel to continue its operations in Gaza “until all the objectives of the war have been achieved.”
Netanyahu also insisted that the deal should prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip from Egypt and prohibit the return of “thousands of armed Hamas militants” to the northern Gaza Strip.
Addressing the issue of hostages, Netanyahu pledged to secure the release of as many as possible from Gaza. More than 100 people are still being held captive there, some feared already dead.
Also on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would continue operations once morest Hezbollah in Lebanon even if a ceasefire agreement was reached in Gaza.
Gallant said the conflict in Gaza and on the northern border with Hezbollah were “two separate areas,” adding that Israel would not be constrained by developments in Gaza unless Hezbollah also reached an agreement with Israel.
People search through the rubble of a damaged house following an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, June 25, 2024. (Xinhua/Rizek Abdeljawad)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he would only accept a ceasefire deal with Hamas if the agreement allowed Israel to resume military operations in Gaza following the hostages were freed.
JERUSALEM, July 7 (Xinhua) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he would only accept a ceasefire deal with Hamas if the agreement would allow Israel to resume military operations in Gaza following the hostages are released.
As international mediators prepare for talks in Cairo to advance negotiations, Netanyahu has outlined five non-negotiable conditions for ending the nine-month conflict. He stressed that any deal must allow Israel to continue its operations in Gaza “until all the objectives of the war have been achieved.”
Mr Netanyahu also insisted that the deal should prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons into the Gaza Strip from Egypt and prohibit the return of “thousands of armed Hamas militants” to the northern Gaza Strip.
Addressing the issue of hostages, Netanyahu pledged to secure the release of as many as possible from Gaza. More than 100 people are still being held captive there, some feared already dead.
Also on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would continue operations once morest Hezbollah in Lebanon even if a ceasefire agreement was reached in Gaza.
Mr. Gallant said the conflict in Gaza and on the northern border with Hezbollah were “two separate areas,” adding that Israel would not be constrained by developments in Gaza unless Hezbollah also reached an agreement with Israel.
Israel’s Conditions for a Ceasefire with Hamas
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has entered its ninth month, with no end in sight. While international mediators are working to bring the two sides to the negotiating table, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that any ceasefire agreement must meet a set of stringent conditions.
Netanyahu’s position is that Israel will only enter a ceasefire if it can continue its military operations in Gaza following the release of hostages. This move has raised concerns from both the international community and the Palestinian side.
Netanyahu’s Five Non-Negotiable Conditions
Netanyahu has outlined five key demands for a ceasefire agreement:
- Continued Military Operations: Israel must be able to continue military operations in Gaza until all its war objectives are achieved, even following the hostages are released.
- Prevention of Weapon Smuggling: A ceasefire agreement must contain provisions to stop Hamas from smuggling weapons into Gaza from Egypt.
- Demilitarization of Northern Gaza: Thousands of armed Hamas militants must be prevented from returning to the northern Gaza Strip.
- Hostage Release: The release of as many hostages held in Gaza as possible is a primary condition for a ceasefire.
- No Concessions to Hezbollah: Israel will continue its military operations once morest Hezbollah in Lebanon, regardless of any ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza.
International Response to Netanyahu’s Demands
Netanyahu’s conditions have been met with criticism from several international actors. The Palestinian Authority has denounced the demands as unreasonable and a sign that Israel is not serious regarding achieving peace. Other countries, like Egypt and the United States, have expressed concerns over the escalation of conflict and called for a negotiated solution.
Impact on the Ceasefire Negotiations
Netanyahu’s insistence on these demands has significantly complicated the ceasefire negotiations. The international mediators are facing a difficult task in trying to bridge the gap between Israel’s demands and the concerns of the Palestinian side.
The Future of the Conflict
Despite the challenges, the international community remains committed to reaching a ceasefire agreement that can bring an end to the conflict. However, Netanyahu’s five conditions have raised the stakes and highlight the complexities involved in resolving the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Israel and the Hezbollah Conflict
While the conflict with Hamas in Gaza is a primary concern, Israel is also embroiled in a separate confrontation with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has asserted that the two conflicts are not linked and that Israel will continue its operations once morest Hezbollah even if a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.
This statement has further raised tensions in the region, as it suggests that Israel is willing to maintain a multi-front conflict. The potential for further escalation is a major source of anxiety for the international community.
Implications for the Middle East
The current situation in the Middle East, with ongoing conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon, highlights the fragility of peace in the region. The lack of a clear path towards a resolution leaves the door open for further instability.
Conclusion
The ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon demonstrate the immense challenges facing the Middle East. The path towards peace and stability remains a long and complex journey.