Israel is ready to accept a diplomatic settlement of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. This was stated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the United States. A video recording of his address to the Israelis was distributed by the Prime Minister's Office, RIA Novosti reports, BTA reports.
Netanyahu stressed that his country agrees to a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, but set strict conditions: complete demilitarization of the enclave and the removal of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas from power. "If diplomacy fails, Israel intends to achieve this goal by military means," the prime minister said.
He said he had made this point during a July 9 meeting in the United States with relatives of hostages held in Gaza. "We are determined to return all the hostages. I explained that we are seeking the release of half of the living and the dead in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire. At the beginning of the ceasefire, we will begin negotiations for a permanent cessation of hostilities," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister listed what Israel considers to be the minimum conditions: "Hamas must disarm, Gaza must be demilitarized, and there must be no Hamas rule or military capability in the region. These are our basic demands."
"If this can be achieved through negotiations, so much the better. If not, we will achieve it in another way, through the power of our heroic army," he added.
Netanyahu drew a parallel with the US approach to Iran, which also set aside 60 days for negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program before Israel launched a 12-day military operation against Iran on June 13.
“We said the same about Iran and eliminating the nuclear threat. We demonstrated our determination, strength and commitment to achieving all goals. If the demilitarization and the collapse of Hamas's military potential can be achieved through diplomacy, great. But in any case, we will achieve them,“ the Israeli prime minister concluded.