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Netanyahu says he’s still committed to truce proposal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel remains committed to a proposed Gaza ceasefire and captives deal.
“We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden welcomed. Our position has not changed. The second thing, which does not contradict the first, we will not end the war until we eliminate Hamas,” Netanyahu said in a speech to parliament.
On Sunday, Netanyahu in an interview with Channel 14 indicated he’s open to a “partial” deal that would facilitate the return of some captives still held in Gaza.
He reiterated, however, he wouldn’t agree to any deal that stipulated an end to Israel’s war on Gaza, despite previous claims by the US that an Israeli proposal would be a pathway to a “permanent” end to the bloody eight-month conflict.
Maybe he should look up the meaning of 'contradiction'
Netanyahu is ‘succeeding, he is buying time’
During an interview on Israel’s Channel 14 television, the prime minister made headlines by announcing the heaviest fighting in Gaza would come to an end soon, but Israeli forces would still fight on until they eradicate Hamas.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s interview also displayed a hint of election campaigning. “This is a right-wing government and if it falls it won’t take long before there will be a left-wing government that will do one thing immediately – establish a Palestinian terrorist state,” he said.
While it is too early to suggest Netanyahu may be gearing up for a snap election, his return to his familiar campaigning style shows his need to shore up his coalition, said political scientist Gideon Rahat, of the bipartisan Israel Democracy Institute.
“He was speaking to his base. He is sustaining his government … that’s the main goal. And he is succeeding, he is buying time.”
UN chief calls for immediate truce after Netanyahu’s ‘partial’ comment
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed the UN’s position that a ceasefire and captive release is “the basis to create the conditions for one day the two-state solution to be possible”.
Without mentioning Benjamin Netanyahu by name, Guterres said this is “a different position” from what the Israeli leader laid out in an interview Sunday night with Israeli Channel 14. Netanyahu’s position also cast doubt on the viability of a US-backed truce, which has three phases and includes a “permanent” ceasefire if the parties agree.
Guterres also reiterated to reporters that the toll of more than 37,600 Palestinians killed in Gaza is “unprecedented” in any conflict since he took the reins of the United Nations in 2017. He said this shows the protection of civilians – a crucial principle of international law – has not been “a key instrument” in Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza.
“The international community must put all pressure for international law to be respected,” Guterres said.
