The war is on, will continue: Netanyahu

Last Updated on June 25, 2024 8:39 am

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 brought back home 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 with 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 recent 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 ceasefire proposal. But neither Netanyahu nor any Israeli official has officially said anything about agreeing to the US offer. Instead, they have repeatedly said that Israel will continue its operations until Hamas is eliminated from Gaza.

In the interview, Netanyahu said that their military operation in Rafah, the southernmost city of Gaza, is at an end. The intense fight against Hamas is also at an end. But that doesn’t mean the war is over. The war is going on, it will continue.

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.