For Netanyahu, his govt's survival more important than captives: Gantz
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The leader of the Israeli National Unity Party says that of "Israel's" three goals of the war on Gaza, two have not yet been achieved – the collapse of Hamas’ rule and the return of the captives.
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Israeli politician Benny Gantz speaks with the media on a viewpoint near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, Sunday, December 8, 2024. (AP)
For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the survival of his government is more important than the return of the captives held in Gaza, indicated Benny Gantz, the leader of the Israeli National Unity Party.
“Of the three goals of the war that concern the Gaza Strip, two have not yet been achieved – the collapse of Hamas’s rule and the return of our hostages,” Gantz said at a conference organized by the Calcalist financial daily.
He explained that it is more important for Netanyahu "to survive politically than to allow another civilian government in the Gaza Strip," and therefore the Israeli military "will continue to wallow there for a long time."
Absence of Gaza post-war plan to take us back to Oct. 6: Israeli media
Gantz's remarks come shortly after Israeli media reported that Israeli military officials have repeatedly warned Netanyahu that the lack of a "day after" plan for the war on the Gaza Strip will lead to the rehabilitation of Hamas’ authority.
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth cited the officials as saying that "to bring down Hamas’ rule, there must be a decision between handing over the reins to the Palestinian Authority or establishing military governance, but Netanyahu rejects both alternatives."
The officials also cautioned that the situation in the Gaza Strip could spill over into the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military officials warned that the absence of a "day after" plan for the war on Gaza would bring "Israel" back to the reality of October 6, 2023, jeopardizing what they described as the "achievements of the war."
The officials claimed that while the Israeli military managed to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities, it failed to dismantle the governing authority of the movement that controls the Gaza Strip.
The officials outlined three options for undermining Hamas’ rule: the first is handing over the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority with financial and logistical support from the United States and Gulf states. The second involves a normalization deal between "Israel" and Saudi Arabia, which they described as a historic step that would transform the Middle East. The third option is establishing military governance in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, Channel 12’s Palestinian affairs analyst Ohad Hemo indicated that "Hamas has successfully rebuilt itself in the Gaza Strip."
IOF to increase military pressure on Hamas
In a related context, Channel 12 also reported that the Israeli military intends to increase military pressure on Hamas to push for a prisoner exchange deal.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Army Radio cited sources as saying, "It cannot be said that negotiations for a prisoner exchange deal are frozen, but there have been no new developments so far.”
The sources added that the Israeli military is trying to pressure Hamas to conclude the deal, despite the failure of such an approach in recent months.
Former Mossad chief Danny Yatom previously told Maariv newspaper, "We should have concluded long ago that the use of force endangers the captives."
Read more: Majority of Israelis dissatisfied with Netanyahu's government: Poll
