What it’s about:
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alongside Defense Minister Yoav Gallant express firm intentions to continue military Operations against Hamas, emphasizing the goal to secure an end to their rule in Gaza and ensure the return of Israeli hostages. The National Security Advisor conveys confidence in the downfall of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar.
Why it matters:
The steadfast approach from Israeli leadership highlights the severity and endurance of the ongoing conflict, signaling that military and diplomatic efforts are poised to keep pressure on Hamas with no immediate end to hostilities in sight. This persisting stance can influence regional stability and morph the geopolitical landscape.
The Visit:
Prime Minister Netanyahu visited an Air Force base, entrenching the message that Israel will continue to utilize all fronts – land, air, and sea – to achieve what he characterizes as outright victory. On another front, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant greeted naval commandos, asserting that Israeli security hinges on thoroughly accomplishing military objectives which means the “destruction of Hamas”.
Sinwar’s Fate:
Amid the sustained Israeli military campaign, Tsachi Hanegbi, Netanyahu’s National Security Advisor, spoke to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Sinwar’s increased ransom demands for hostages, possibly hinting to Sinwar’s growing awareness of his precarious position. Hanegbi drew parallels with notorious terrorists like Bin Laden, intimating Sinwar’s days as a free person were few. The operative message—it could be long, but Sinwar would eventually be reached.
Campaign Aftermath and Humanitarian Presence:
Hanegbi demonstrated suspicion towards UNRWA, clearly asserting that this UN entity, deemed hostile by Israel, should not be involved post-conflict in Gaza, proposing that alternative mechanisms replace its influence. Further details such as the future governance of Gaza and potential normalization with Saudi Arabia were not disclosed, entwining the seemingly separate threads of conflict, diplomacy, and regional humanitarianism.
This story was first published on ynetnews.com.