Is Hamas’s Time Running Out?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Tuesday that Israel would not agree to a ceasefire with Hamas despite growing international pressure, including U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent demand for a temporary ceasefire to arrange the release of hostages in Gaza.
“We very much want to achieve another release [of hostages], and we are prepared to go far,” he said, “but we are not prepared to pay any price, certainly not the delusional prices that Hamas is demanding of us, the meaning of which is the defeat of the State of Israel.” He added, “There is no pressure, none, that can change” Israel’s goals of eliminating Hamas, rescuing all hostages, and neutralizing Gaza’s ability to harm the nation.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday night, residents of Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip and Rafah in the south protested in the streets against Hamas’s leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, and Hamas’s political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, who lives lavishly in Qatar. Protestors called for humanitarian aid, shouting, “We need food, we need flour, Sinwar and Haniyeh, stay away from us, you thieves.”
In light of Israel’s relentless pursuit to destroy the terrorist organization and considering public opposition in Gaza, Hamas must sense that its aspirations may be flaming out. While much work remains to achieve Israel’s goals of security, freedom for the hostages, and Hamas’s elimination, as Netanyahu outlined, Israel has managed successfully to damage Hamas infrastructure and make the terrorists regret their horrific massacre. Through Israel’s continued operations, the nation aims to permanently cripple Hamas, which we pray comes about quickly.
