‘We won’t stop war in Gaza,’ says Netenyahu, rejecting Biden’s cease-fire proposal
At the onset of its offensive in the Gaza Strip, Israel aimed to cripple Hamas, setting an ambitious goal that garnered support from the Biden administration, which provided significant weaponry and voiced solidarity.
However, nearly eight months into the conflict, a divide has surfaced between the allies regarding the definition of defeating Hamas. Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden asserted that Hamas no longer posed a significant threat to Israel, signaling it was time to end the war.
Yet, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right ministers disagree, emphasizing the need to press forward.
‘We are not ready to stop’
Biden views the reduction of Hamas’ capacity to launch large-scale attacks as fulfilling Israel’s objective. He called for an end to hostilities, urging both parties to negotiate the release of remaining hostages and bodies for an extended cease-fire.
Netanyahu, however, insisted on eradicating Hamas’ military and governance capabilities, ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat.
On Monday, Netanyahu said they are “not ready to stop” the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and claimed that Biden’s remarks on the cease-fire proposal were “inaccurate.”
In response to Biden’s remarks, Netanyahu stated his reluctance to halt the war, citing inaccuracies in the proposed cease-fire outline. He affirmed Israel’s commitment to achieving complete victory and refused to disclose details of a potential hostage swap deal.
“The outline that Biden presented is partial. The war will be stopped for returning hostages and then we will have a discussion,” Netanyahu stated.
Underlining that Israel won’t stop until it attains victory, Netanyahu said: “There are other undisclosed details. We could cease fighting for 42 days to facilitate the return of hostages, but we will not give up our goal of complete victory.”
Uncertainty looms as Gaza conflict persists
On the other hand, the far-right faction within Israel’s government adamantly rejects Biden’s cease-fire proposal, advocating for continued military action until Hamas is entirely eradicated. Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich even threatened to withdraw from Netanyahu’s coalition if he endorsed the proposal, emphasizing the importance of maintaining military pressure.
Despite international pressure, Israel continues its offensive, leading to extensive casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza. The conflict has prompted accusations of genocide against Israel, with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering an immediate halt to operations in Rafah.
Meanwhile, Hamas expressed willingness to consider proposals for a permanent cease-fire, emphasizing the need for reconstruction and a comprehensive hostage exchange.
As the conflict persists, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with millions facing shortages of essential resources amid the ongoing violence and blockade.
