By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Prime Minister Emphasizes Continued Efforts Against Hamas Despite Strategic Redeployment
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the intense phase of the war with Hamas in Gaza is nearing its end. Subsequently, the military will shift its focus to Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where clashes with Hezbollah have escalated in recent weeks.
Despite the transition, Netanyahu emphasized that operations in Gaza will continue until Hamas is completely eliminated. "The war in its current stage is ending in Rafah, but it doesn’t mean the war is over. We will continue our efforts," he told Channel 14 Television in his first solo interview with Israeli media since October 7.
More than a million Palestinians were sheltering in Rafah before Israel's air and ground operations began, despite international calls for restraint. Around 800,000 people have since been displaced from the area, with conditions described as "apocalyptic" by the United Nations food agency.
The Rafah Egypt border crossing, a critical entry point for humanitarian aid, has remained closed since Israeli forces took control last month. International pressure on Israel’s actions in Gaza has increased, with the UN's top court ordering an immediate halt to the military operations, citing a "disastrous" humanitarian situation.
Netanyahu indicated his willingness for a partial deal with Hamas to return some hostages held in Gaza but reiterated that the war would continue after a ceasefire to eliminate Hamas. "I'm not ready to compromise on that," he stated.
Nationwide protests in Israel have called for a ceasefire and the return of all hostages. Families of the hostages participated in protests across major cities, demanding the government accept a deal for their release. A US backed ceasefire plan proposes ending hostilities in exchange for releasing all hostages and withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza.
Tensions between the Israeli government and its military are rising, with Netanyahu under pressure to outline a post war governance strategy for Gaza. Hamas condemned Netanyahu's stance, asserting that he seeks only a partial agreement, not an end to the war.
Netanyahu also mentioned shifting military power to the north after the intense phase in Gaza concludes. Hezbollah, an Iran backed group, has been conducting attacks from southern Lebanon, prompting Israeli strikes in response. The escalating cross border attacks have raised concerns about a broader conflict.
Israeli officials have informed the US about plans to move resources to northern Israel, preparing for a potential offensive against Hezbollah. The implications of a wider war are significant, with US officials warning of the potential for Hezbollah to overwhelm Israel’s northern air defenses.
When asked about resolving the conflict with Hezbollah, Netanyahu responded that any agreement would be on Israel's terms, emphasizing the need to eliminate Hamas and not leave it intact. Israel's war in Gaza began following the Hamas attacks of October 7, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages. Since then, the Israeli campaign has led to over 37,000 deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry.