Israel-Gaza War: Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip will only end if conditions put forth by Tel Aviv are met, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has said.
Addressing the media in Jerusalem alongside Danish Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen the Israel’s top diplomat said peace can only return in Gaza when Hamas releases all Israeli hostages.
What are Israel’s conditions to end Gaza war?
The Israeli minister reiterated the Benjamin Netanyahu government’s demand of Hamas laying down arms and releasing all hostages it had taken during the October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel. The statement from Gideon Saar come a day after Hamas reiterated its long-standing demand, saying that hostages would be released if Israel agrees end the Gaza war, and withdraw troops from Gaza city.
The statements from both sides come amid global efforts to end the Gaza crisis, and to broker a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. However, the remarks also showcase the deep-rooted mistrusts between the two enemies, a hurdle that has prevented any peace agreements to end the war in Gaza.
Why Saar criticized Palestinian statehood?
Meanwhile, Gideon Saar accused countries who support Palestinian statehood of ignoring “the most important facts” about the Palestinian Authority’s actions. Saar claimed what he called ongoing security failures, the “Pay for Slay” policy rewarding terrorism, and systemic incitement in schools and textbooks, arguing that these issues make a credible peace process impossible.
“Without disengaging from these problems – the incitement against Jews, Israel and terrorism – it will not be possible to build a credible peace process,” he said.
The Israeli minister stated that Israel cannot compromise its future or security in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, and praised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for highlighting the Palestinian Authority’s unmet commitments.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Israeli FM Gideon Saar said the Israel-Gaza war can only end if Hamas releases all hostages.
- Saar also reiterated the demand for the Palestinian armed group to lay down arms.
- Hamas has agreed to releasing hostage if Israel agrees to end the Gaza war.
- Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military action since the conflict erupted.
The developments come as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned Gaza residents to vacate the city and move to the “humanitarian zone” in the south as Israeli forces targeted high-rise buildings in the war-torn city on Saturday.
Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had issued a chilling warning to Hamas, as he