Netanyahu Discusses Gaza War and Regional Security

In an interview with an American podcast, Netanyahu stated that “Israel emerged from the terrible October 7th as the strongest force in the Middle East,” emphasizing that “what started in Gaza will end in Gaza with the release of hostages and the end of Hamas rule.” He revealed that “his private conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump are very friendly, but this does not mean agreement on everything,” stressing the need to end the Gaza war soon with President Trump’s assistance. Netanyahu added: “We have shattered Hamas, although it is not yet defeated, but we will achieve that,” continuing: “We also did that with Hezbollah and Syria, and we shattered Iran’s nuclear program.” The Israeli Prime Minister explained that his country “defeated enemies of the United States who were seeking to develop ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads,” warning that Iran is now developing intercontinental ballistic missiles with a range of up to 8,000 kilometers. He added: “If Iran increases its missile range by 3,000 km, New York and Washington will be within the reach of its nuclear weapons,” noting that “the most advanced offensive weapons on the planet were developed by Israel and shared with the United States.” Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are mediating to end the war, which completes its second year tomorrow, leaving a massive toll of human and material losses. On October 3rd, the Palestinian Hamas movement announced its agreement to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal regarding the Gaza Strip, confirming the release of all detainees alive and dead according to an exchange formula, and handing over the administration of the sector to an independent Palestinian body (technocrats) according to national consensus and Arab and Islamic support. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt welcomed the steps taken by Hamas in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal aimed at ending the war on Gaza, releasing all detainees alive and dead, stopping the fire, and starting negotiations immediately to agree on implementation mechanisms. Hamas stated in a statement that it is immediately ready “to enter negotiations through intermediaries to discuss the details of the exchange process,” confirming that “issues related to the future of Gaza and the rights of the Palestinian people will be discussed within a comprehensive national framework with full responsibility.” Trump, accompanied by his special envoy Steve Witkoff, presented a new plan aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip and defining the outlines of governance after the “elimination” of Hamas, during a meeting with leaders of Arab and Islamic countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings. Observers indicate that the plan is based on ideas discussed in the past months, with updates developed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law, and Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister. Since October 7, 2023, until now, the war on Gaza has caused the death of more than 67,000 Palestinians in addition to more than 169,000 injured, according to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.