The Israeli Prime Minister stated that military actions against Hamas were proving effective, yet he noted signs of fissures appearing within the negotiation process. He further emphasized that Israel would guarantee safety in Gaza to facilitate President Trump’s contentious proposal.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the ongoing military pressure exerted by Israel on the Palestinian militant organization Hamas in Gaza has been effective.
During a Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated that the organization, which is classified as a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, Germany, and other countries, needs to disarm.
The remarks from the Israeli prime minister were made against the backdrop of ongoing mediation attempts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States aimed at securing a truce in Gaza. These negotiations also seek to ensure the liberation of the remaining captives still being held by Hamas.
On Sunday, Israeli strikes on Gaza continued as Muslims celebrated the first day of Eid al-Fitr, killing at least eight in the southern Khan Younis area, including five children.
Netanyahu says negotiations for hostages' release ongoing
Netanyahu denied that Israel was not engaged in negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas since it led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 people hostage. Israeli officials estimate that of the 59 still in captivity, 24 are alive.
"We are negotiating under fire," Netanyahu said, arguing that the negotiation strategy was effective. "We can see cracks beginning to appear" in what the group demanded in its negotiations.
Israel has been engaged in air and then ground operations in Gaza with health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave saying over 50,200 Palestinians have been killed since the October 7 attacks.
A delicate truce emerged, bringing about several weeks of comparative tranquility in Gaza after more than a year of unrest, along with the liberation of multiple Israeli captives. collapsed on March 18 When Israel restarted its aerial and land assaults on the Palestinian territories.
On Saturday, a high-ranking Hamas representative stated that the organization had endorsed a fresh truce proposal presented by intermediaries, calling upon Israel to back this initiative.
The Netanyahu's office subsequently verified that they had received the proposition, stating that Israel had presented a counter-proposal "with complete alignment from the U.S."
Netanyahu states Israel will secure Gaza to facilitate Trump's proposal.
Netanyahu additionally stated that Israel would guarantee overall security in Gaza and "facilitate the execution of the Trump plan — the voluntary migration plan."
"That is the plan, we do not hide it, we are ready to discuss it at any time," Netanyahu said, adding that "Hamas leaders will be allowed to leave Gaza."
The controversial plan was put forth by US President Donald Trump shortly after taking office. It aims to forcibly displace the Palestinians in Gaza to neighboring countries, mostly Egypt and Jordan, and turn the devastated enclave into a US-owned resort.
Last week, Israel's Cabinet approved a proposal to establish a new directorate for advancing the "voluntary departure" of Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump's plan has been widely rejected, especially by Palestinians and neighboring Arab countries . Egypt has spearheaded a campaign to offer a counterproposal that would see Gaza's reconstruction without its citizens' displacement.
Gaza residents say they have no intention of leaving their homeland, while the UN has warned that the US plan could amount to ethnic cleansing and violate international law.
rmt/sms (AFP, Reuters)