As international pressure continues on Israel for an unconditional ceasefire in its war with Hamas and to allow the Palestinian Authority (PA) to retake control of Gaza after Hamas is defeated, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered this message to the world on Saturday evening: Neither is going to happen.
“I reiterate to our friends: We are more determined than ever to continue to the end—until we eliminate Hamas, return all of our hostages, and ensure that, with G-d’s help, there will not be any element that educates for terrorism, finances terrorism and dispatches terrorism,” said Netanyahu on Saturday night in comments translated into English and published by Israel.
He also repeated his message to the rest of the world that “I will not allow us to replace Hamastan with Fatahstan,” referencing the Fatah political party that rules the PA. Reiterating that “the debate between Hamas and Fatah is not ‘whether’ to eliminate the State of Israel but ‘how’ to do it,” Netanyahu noted polling showing Palestinians in PA-controlled Judea and Samaria justify the October 7th terror massacre.
“As of this moment, the Palestinian Authority senior leadership simply refuses to condemn the massacre and some of them even praise it openly. They will control Gaza on ‘the day after’? Haven’t we learned anything? As the Prime Minister of Israel, I will not allow that to happen,” said Netanyahu. He also argued that this is “the desire of the vast majority” of Israel.
The Israeli leader’s strong stance comes as the Americans have repeatedly indicated they want some version of the PA to take over Gaza once Hamas is defeated. With that in the background, Netanyahu considers it especially important to respond to this American interest. “It is important to make this clear now because among friends we must tell the truth and not foster illusions, how much more so on an existential and fateful issue such as this,” said Netanyahu. “Then I reiterate to our friends: After the elimination of Hamas, the Gaza Strip will be demilitarized, will be under Israeli security control, and no element in it will either threaten us or educate its children to destroy us.”
Meanwhile, the US was the only country to vote against a recent United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. The American use of their veto power prevented the resolution from passing. On Saturday, Netanyahu again expressed appreciation for US support diplomatically, providing weapons, and more. But he also said he made Israel’s determination to finish the war with victory “clear” to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan last week.
Netanyahu said the war has already taken a toll—not only diplomatically, but more so with the deaths of Israeli soldiers. Yet there is one comfort in facing this tragedy, noted Netanyahu: “ To ensure that our heroes will not have fallen in vain, to ensure that we will continue to fight until absolute victory is achieved.”
Said Netanyahu, “While victory will take time, we are determined to continue until the end, despite the immense pain, despite the bereavement that rends our hearts, despite the international pressure. We will continue until the end. Nothing will stop us—until we achieve victory.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, December 17, 2023)