Cairo, Egypt – In new statements that sparked widespread controversy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday that Israel is “approaching the end of the Gaza war.” He added that “some tasks remain.” He stressed that Hamas “has not yet been destroyed, but we will get there,” he said.
Netanyahu, who seemed eager to portray victory despite mounting domestic criticism, noted that “Hezbollah and the Houthis have suffered severe blows.” He added, in a notable statement, that “Israel is protecting America from Iran.” This was a clear attempt to rebrand the war. He portrayed it as part of a broader battle to protect Western interests in the region.
The Israeli statements coincided with the launch of a new round of indirect negotiations between Hamas and mediators in Sharm el-Sheikh. This is taking place within the framework of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. The plan includes a ceasefire and the release of detainees. It also includes the disarmament of Hamas in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Today, Israel marks the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack. The attack, according to Israel, killed 1,219 people and kidnapped 251 others. Tel Aviv has continued its war on Gaza since that day, amid unprecedented destruction in the Strip.
Since the beginning of the Israeli offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to statistics from Gaza’s health authorities. Thousands of homes, hospitals, places of worship, and schools have been destroyed. In contrast, hundreds of thousands live in overcrowded camps. They lack food, water, or services.
As the humanitarian catastrophe escalates, observers believe Netanyahu’s talk of the “end of the war” may be a political attempt to escape mounting domestic pressure. This comes amid declining popularity and protests by the families of Israeli prisoners. They are demanding an urgent prisoner exchange deal.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the ongoing negotiations in Egypt could extend for several days. There are deep doubts about the possibility of reaching a comprehensive agreement, given each side’s insistence on its terms.
