Netanyahu Rejects Israeli Generals' Desires About Ceasefire In Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu/PHOTO via Instagram @b.netanyahu

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the idea of starting a ceasefire in Gaza while Hamas was still in power.

This was conveyed in connection with a report by The New York Times citing six current security officials and the former who said the ceasefire would give Israeli forces time to prepare for a potential ceasefire with Hezbollah.

Officials, most of whom spoke anonymously, also said the ceasefire would be the most effective way to ensure the release of Israeli hostages.

Former Israel's National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata, who the Times said maintains regular communication with senior military officials.

"The military fully supports the hostage-taking and ceasefire deals... They believe they can always come back and engage with Hamas militarily in the future," he said.

Faced with the war forever' scenario, the four officials interviewed by the Times agreed with Hulata about defending Hamas power for now in exchange for regaining the hostages seems to be the worst option for Israel.

"I don't know who this anonymous source is, but I'm here to make it clear: This will not happen. The war will end after Israel reaches all its goals, including the destruction of Hamas and the release of all of our hostages," Netanyahu said.

The government directs the IDF to achieve this war's goal and the IDF has every way to achieve it. We will not give in to the wind of defeat, neither in The New York Times nor anywhere. We are inspired by the spirit of victory," he added.

The report was published when the situation in Israel's northern region was still very tense, with the Israeli military and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah increasing cross-border attacks, which risk turning into a full-scale war.

"They (IDFs) understand that the break in Gaza makes deescalation more likely in Lebanon," Hulata told the Times.

"And they have less ammunition, less parts, less energy than ever", so they also think the break in Gaza gives us more time to prepare for a bigger war with Hezbollah, "he said.