Prime Minister Netanyahu said Sunday that some cabinet members advocated accepting Hamas's terms for a Gaza withdrawal, planning to present it as a victory image on television channels. He rejected the approach, arguing it would have left the Iranian axis at full strength. Netanyahu contrasted his stance with the Lebanon maritime agreement, which he said Hezbollah blessed while cursing Israel's positions.
In a new statement Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu expanded on his criticism of the Israeli left's approach to the Gaza war. As The Zioneer reported earlier today, Netanyahu said that those who advocated accepting Hamas's terms would have achieved 'zero' victory. Now he adds that in intimate cabinet conversations, some members suggested accepting a full withdrawal from the Strip and then framing the outcome as a victory image on television channels. Netanyahu said he rejected that proposal outright, telling them: 'If there is a victory — there will be a picture, not before.' He argued that following their advice would have left the Iranian axis — including Deif, Sinwar, Haniyeh, Nasrallah, Assad, and Khamenei — at full strength. Netanyahu also drew a contrast with the Lebanon maritime border agreement, which he said Hezbollah blessed while cursing Israel's current positions. The remarks come amid ongoing debate in Israel over the war's direction and the terms of a potential hostage deal.
2 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu: Hamas demand to leave Gaza was an 'enormous defeat'
- StrongNetanyahu says accepting earlier proposal would have won 'nothing'
- DevelopingOfficials: Full IDF withdrawal from Lebanon would be Netanyahu's political suicide
- StrongNetanyahu: No Gaza reconstruction without disarmament; residents who wish to leave should be allowed
Source and signal
- Internal intake