Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that when “our two countries” stand “shoulder to shoulder”, we achieve the “impossible.” He made the statement while addressing a joint press conference alongside US President Donald Trump at the White House. Netanyahu’s remarks came after the Trump administration released a peace plan to end the two-year-old Gaza war.
“Your (Trump) plan to end the war in Gaza achieves our war aims. It will bring back all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities, end its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel… When our two countries stand shoulder to shoulder, we achieve the impossible,” Netanyahu said. Meanwhile, he also acknowledged Trump’s role in the 12-day Israel-Iran war that made the region and the world “safer.”
“Just a few months ago, in Operation Rising Line and Operation Midnight Hammer, we struck a decisive blow against Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program. Your bold decision to send those B-2s made the region safer and the world safer… Your plan is consistent with the five principles my government set for the end of the war and the day after Hamas…,” the Israeli PM added.
Netanyahu also detailed Israel’s plan, including disarming Hamas. He called for a “peaceful civilian administration” to administer Gaza and ruled out any role for Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. “Here’s our plan. Pass it in the cabinet. All our hostages, alive and dead, will return home. Hamas will be disarmed. Gaza will be demilitarised. Israel will retain security responsibility, including a security perimeter for the foreseeable future. Gaza will have a peaceful civilian administration, run neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority. If Hamas agrees to your plan, the first step will be a withdrawal, followed by the release of all our hostages within 72 hours,” he said.
He further warned that Israel will “finish the job” by itself in case Hamas rejects the peace plan announced by Donald Trump, and called for the establishment of an International body to fully “disarm” Hamas.
“If this international body succeeds, we will have permanently ended the war… We’re giving everybody a chance to do this peacefully… But if Hamas rejects your plan, or if they accept it and then counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself. This can be done the easy way or the hard way. But it will be done…”
Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) stated that the Gaza peace proposal, “if accepted by Hamas,” means the “immediate end of the war itself”, remarks made during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump expressed hope that there would be “no more shooting” and said that Arab and Muslim countries have “probably an understanding” of dealing with Hamas. “All parties will agree on a timeline for Israeli forces to withdraw in phases… No more shooting, hopefully. As progress is made toward achieving these goals, Arab and Muslim nations need to be allowed the chance to fulfil these commitments of dealing with Hamas… They probably have an understanding… If they’re unable to do so, then Israel would have the absolute right and full US backing… Israel will have my fallback to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas…,” he said.
He does not rule out the possibility of Hamas “rejecting the deal” and reiterated his full support to Israel to deal with the “danger” posed by Hamas in the region.
