In the first Israeli comment on the Security Council resolution regarding the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, an Israeli official said that the resolution allows Tel Aviv to continue the war on the Strip until it achieves its goals.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted an unnamed official as saying, “Israel will not end the war before achieving all its goals of eliminating Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities, returning the kidnapped people, and promising that Gaza will no longer pose a threat.”
The official explained, “The broad outlines of the decision that were presented make this possible.”
In turn, political science professor Khalil Al-Anani believes that the Security Council’s resolution is “deceptive and booby-trapped,” explaining that a complete, immediate and comprehensive cessation of the ceasefire “is only in the first phase of the negotiation, which extends for about 6 weeks, and the resolution later speaks about a cessation of hostilities after that and not about A complete ceasefire.”
Al-Anani added that the decision attempts to give “Israel space to renounce this decision, especially with regard to the second phase, and the resumption of fighting after the hostages are recovered.”
Yesterday, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) welcomed the decision, expressing its readiness to cooperate with mediators to enter into indirect negotiations on implementing the principles.
In his response to Hamas’ position, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said at the conclusion of his visit to Israel that Hamas’ response was “a hopeful sign, just as was the statement they issued after the president presented his proposal 10 days ago.”
