Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected the conditions presented by Hamas to end the war and release the hostages that would include Israel’s complete withdrawal and leaving Hamas in power in Gaza.
Netanyahu said in a statement that he would not accept the “terms of surrender” of Hamas, which he called “monsters”. He said that Hamas’ demands were “the end of the war, the withdrawal of our forces from Gaza, the release of all the murderers and rapists, and leaving Hamas intact”.
Netanyahu said that he would insist on “full Israeli security control over all the territory west of the Jordan River”, which he said was incompatible with the idea of Palestinian sovereignty.
Netanyahu’s statement came as Israeli planes resumed bombing Khan Younis, the main city in the southern Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army has been advancing and clashing with Hamas fighters.
As the fighting intensified, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Netanyahu’s refusal to end the military offensive in Gaza “means there is no chance for the return of the [Israeli] captives”.
Hamas is holding about 240 people hostage, most of them civilians, who were taken during a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, which killed about 1,200 people and triggered the war.
Israel says that 132 hostages are still in Gaza, of whom 105 are alive and 27 are dead. Israel considers those declared dead to still be hostages, and has vowed to bring them back home.
Israel has also accused Hamas of using the hostages as human shields and bargaining chips, and has rejected any negotiations or concessions for their release.
Hamas has denied holding any hostages, and has accused Israel of lying and fabricating evidence. Hamas has also demanded an end to the Israeli siege and aggression on Gaza, and the lifting of the blockade and the sanctions on the enclave, as preconditions for any ceasefire or dialogue.
The war, which has entered its fourth month, has killed more than 24,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly 2 million, according to the Associated Press. It has also caused widespread damage to infrastructure, health facilities, and schools in Gaza.
According to Israeli officials, about 1,200 Israelis have been killed and thousands injured by Hamas’ attacks, which have also targeted civilian areas and critical facilities.
The war has also sparked protests and violence in the West Bank, Israel, and other countries, and has raised regional and international tensions.
The war has also triggered a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 1.9 million people are facing shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and where the health system is on the verge of collapse due to the Israeli bombardment and the Covid-19 pandemic.
US’ Support
The U.S. has expressed its support for Israel’s right to self-defense and its opposition to Hamas’ rocket attacks, while also calling for Israel to exercise restraint and to avoid civilian casualties.
The U.S. has also pledged to provide $360 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, including $150 million to the UN agency that assists the refugees in Gaza and the West Bank.
The U.S. has also expressed its commitment to helping the parties resume the negotiations for a two-state solution that would end the occupation and the conflict, and that would ensure the security and the dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians.
However, the U.S. has faced difficulties and challenges in its diplomatic efforts, as it has been unable to persuade Israel to halt its offensive or to agree to a ceasefire, and as it has been met with resistance and criticism from some of its allies and partners in the region, who have expressed frustration and anger over the U.S. stance on the conflict and its engagement with Iran.
The U.S. has also faced opposition and obstruction from the UN Security Council, where it has vetoed several resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The U.S. has also faced pressure and expectations from the international community and the public opinion, who have urged the U.S. to play a more active and effective role in ending the conflict and in addressing the humanitarian needs in Gaza.
The U.S. has also faced questions and doubts about its credibility and influence as a leader and a mediator in the Middle East, and about its values and interests as a democracy and a human rights defender.
The war has exposed the deep rifts and the complex dynamics that characterize the U.S.-Israel relationship, which is often described as “unbreakable” and “special”, but which is also marked by disagreements and tensions over various issues and policies.
The war has also tested the will and the wisdom of the U.S. and Israel, as they face the consequences and the implications of their actions and decisions, and as they seek to achieve their goals and to protect their interests.
The war has also challenged the hopes and the aspirations of the U.S. and Israel, as they strive to secure their peace and security, and to advance their vision and values.
