According to Al Jazeera, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that while the intense phase of fighting against Hamas in Gaza is nearing its end, the war itself will continue until the militant group is defeated.
“The intense phase of the fighting against Hamas is about to end,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Israeli media outlet Channel 14. “It doesn’t mean that the war is about to end, but the war in its intense phase is about to end in Rafah.”
However, Netanyahu made it clear that he is not willing to end the war and leave Hamas in power. “I am not willing to end the war and leave Hamas as it is,” he stated.
The Prime Minister also reiterated his rejection of the idea that the Palestinian Authority, based in the occupied West Bank, could take over the administration of Gaza from Hamas.
“We also want to create a civilian administration, if possible with local Palestinians and maybe with external backing from countries in the region, to manage humanitarian supply and later on, civilian affairs in the Strip,” he said.
Netanyahu’s comments come as Israel and Hamas appear to be moving closer to a ceasefire agreement, with the U.S. proposing a comprehensive plan that would involve a pause in fighting and the release of some Israeli captives held in Gaza. However, the Prime Minister’s insistence on continuing the war until Hamas is defeated casts doubt on the viability of such a deal.
