Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated in a column in the Wall Street Journal on Monday evening Israel's conditions for ending the fighting: eliminating Hamas, dismantling the armed groups and deradicalizing it. In his column, Netanyahu attacked Mahmoud Abbas for not yet condemning the October 7 massacre and said that the Palestinian Authority could not control Gaza.
In his column, Netanyahu wrote: "First, Hamas must be destroyed. He is a major emissary of Iran. The United States, Britain, France, Germany and many other countries support Israel's intention to destroy the terrorist organization. To achieve this goal, its military capabilities must be dismantled and its political rule over Gaza must end. Hamas leaders vowed to repeat the October 7 massacre "over and over again." Therefore, their destruction is the only proportionate response to prevent the repeat of such terrible atrocities."
Hamas terrorists surrender in Jabaliya, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Netanyahu added: "By destroying Hamas, Israel will continue to act in full compliance with international law. This is particularly challenging because an integral part of Hamas' strategy is to use Palestinian civilians as human shields. Hamas places its terror infrastructure in and under homes, hospitals, mosques, schools and other civilian sites, deliberately endangering the Palestinian population." Israel is doing its best to minimize civilian casualties by dropping leaflets, texting and using other means to warn Gazans. "Unjustly blaming Israel for these victims will only encourage Hamas and other terrorist organizations around the world to use human shields."
Netanyahu later wrote that "a temporary security zone must be established around Gaza and a monitoring mechanism for the border between Gaza and Egypt that will meet Israel's security needs and prevent weapons smuggling into the territory. Schools must teach children to cherish life, not death, and imams must stop preaching the murder of Jews. Palestinian civil society must be transformed so that its people support the fight against terrorism instead of funding it."
IDF soldier in the Gaza Strip, photo: IDF Spokesperson
At the end of his remarks, Netanyahu pointed an accusing finger at Abu Mazu and wrote: "The process will require courageous and moral leadership. Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas cannot even condemn the atrocities of October 7. Some of his ministers deny the murders and rapes or accuse Israel of committing these terrible crimes against its own people."
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