Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the notion of initiating a ceasefire in Gaza while Hamas remains in power, countering a report from The New York Times that cited Israeli security officials advocating for such a truce. According to the Times, six current and former officials argued that a ceasefire would allow Israel to prepare for potential conflicts with Hezbollah and facilitate the release of Israeli hostages.
Former Israeli National Security Advisor Eyal Hulata, who maintains regular communication with senior military officials, supported the idea of a ceasefire and hostage negotiation. He emphasized that the military believed in the feasibility of engaging Hamas militarily if necessary in the future, suggesting that retaining Hamas temporarily might be Israel’s least unfavorable option for securing the hostages.
Netanyahu responded sternly to these assertions, disavowing any consideration of a ceasefire under current Hamas leadership. He stated unequivocally, “This will not happen,” affirming that Israel would persist until all its objectives, including the destruction of Hamas and the release of hostages, were achieved.
The backdrop of this debate is a tense situation in northern Israel, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have escalated, posing a potential risk of broader conflict. Israeli military officials reportedly see a Gaza ceasefire as a potential de-escalation factor in Lebanon, where readiness for a more significant conflict is being prepared amidst logistical challenges.
Despite these views, the IDF remains committed to its mission in Gaza, emphasizing ongoing operations to dismantle Hamas’s military and governmental capabilities while maintaining defensive readiness across all borders.
