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Israel announced that "Hamas no longer exists

Gallant stated that "Hamas - as a military organization - no longer exists in Gaza

Sep 10, 2024 17:12 183

Israel's defense minister said the window of opportunity for reaching an agreement on a temporary ceasefire with the extremist group “Hamas”. And such an agreement would also calm the situation along the northern border with Lebanon, the Associated Press reported.

In a statement to journalists, Minister Yoav Galant said conditions were ripe for at least a six-week pause in the fighting, which could include the release of many hostages held in Gaza.

However, Gallant did not comment on a permanent cessation of hostilities, which was demanded by “Hamas”, which raises the question of whether the deal is feasible, AP points out.

„Israel must reach an agreement that will allow a 6-week pause and return hostages,” Minister Gallant said. After this period, the minister said, “we reserve the right to act and achieve our goals – including the destruction of “Hamas“.

For months, the US, along with mediators Egypt and Qatar, have been working to broker a ceasefire to end the devastating war between Israel and Hamas. The main area of disagreement is the insistence of “Hamas” for an end to the nearly year-long war and a complete withdrawal of all Israeli soldiers from the Gaza Strip.

In recent weeks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised another controversial issue by saying that Israel should maintain an indefinite presence in a strategic corridor along Gaza's border with Egypt.

Gallant was quoted in Israeli media as saying that Israel could withdraw from the corridor in 6 weeks so that the hostages could be released without risking Israel's security. Gallant and Netanyahu reportedly had a heated argument at a recent cabinet meeting in which most ministers sided with Netanyahu.

At his yesterday's meeting with foreign journalists, Gallant was asked about his relationship with the Prime Minister. “As Minister of Defense, my top priority is the State of Israel and those who defend it, and then everything else comes,”, replied the Minister of Defense.

The current US-launched plan consists of three stages and begins with a 6-week pause in fighting during which “Hamas” to release some of the 70 or so hostages believed to be still alive.

In return, Israel will release dozens of Palestinian prisoners, withdraw its troops from places where Palestinians are concentrated, allow displaced Gazans to return to their homes and facilitate the delivery of large amounts of humanitarian aid.

Gallant also stated that “Hamas”, as a military organization, no longer exists” in Gaza, reported AFP. “We continue to fight the terrorists from “Hamas“ and track the leaders” of the movement”, Gallant said, but “Hamas” it is now only fighting a partisan war“.