Khoury explained in an intervention on ‘Sputnik’ radio that ‘the main goal of the United States and Israel is to improve Israel’s negotiating terms. However, this will not be achieved because Hamas is an ideology and a concept with nothing to lose, and because Israel has targeted the entire Palestinian people who, despite everything, remain attached to their land, while those who left Gaza are waiting for the war to stop to return.’
Khoury added that ‘what Netanyahu is doing is trying to show that he is doing something amidst his internal crisis, opposition pressure, and the growing hostility towards Israel worldwide,’ excluding the possibilities of battle, and stressing that the talk of ‘controlling Gaza’ is different from ‘occupying it.’
Khoury considered that ‘the Israeli army has previously been present throughout Gaza,’ criticizing the talk of a new attack and complete occupation of the strip, noting that ‘this presence would be very costly in terms of soldiers,’ questioning, ‘How does a country enter a war when its Chief of Staff opposes this move?’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that he is ‘determined to end the war quickly,’ pointing out that ‘for this reason, he has ordered the army to shorten the timeline for controlling the city of Gaza.’
Netanyahu said that ‘the decision made by the Security Cabinet is decisive in eliminating Hamas,’ adding that ‘Hamas’ conditions for reaching an agreement are conditions of surrender, and we will not accept them.’
Netanyahu affirmed that ‘Israel will impose security control and establish an alternative civilian government that does not include Hamas or the Palestinian Authority,’ noting that his country ‘will surprise Hamas in various ways and has the capability to eliminate it.’
