Israel’s Prime Minister reiterates Gaza campaign aims as regional diplomacy intensifies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that Jerusalem will maintain military pressure in the Gaza Strip until all predefined war objectives are realized. He credited the current military push with making progress and highlighted that Israeli forces have penetrated areas in Gaza that were previously out of reach. The statements, reported by TASS, frame the operation as pursuing a decisive victory that will extend beyond desolate corridors into areas such as Rafah, even after civilian evacuations have been completed. Netanyahu warned that any action that slows or deters Israel risks prolonging the conflict and potentially jeopardizing the war’s outcome, insisting that victory requires sustained, strategic measures until the mission is fulfilled.
The Prime Minister also stressed that any lasting resolution to the broader Middle East conflict must come through direct negotiations between the involved parties and must proceed without preconditions. This stance underscores a preference for diplomatic engagement alongside ongoing military actions, signaling that political talks are seen as a complement to operational objectives rather than a substitute for them.
Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog held a discreet meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Reports indicate that Herzog attended the gathering with several released hostages and their families, a move aimed at reinforcing the significance of dialogue and providing broader context to the talks. The encounter reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts to shape the narrative around negotiations and to coordinate regional perspectives on the Gaza situation.
In recent remarks, Netanyahu reiterated a forecast that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could extend into 2025. The timeline echoes a broader assessment of the military campaign’s duration and the endurance required of the Israeli security apparatus in pursuing strategic goals. Observers note that the stance intertwines security concerns with the administration’s broader regional diplomacy, signaling that both military operations and high-level talks will be integral to shaping the outcome in the months ahead.