Middle East Monitor / January 19, 2025
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Sunday that the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas has come at a “high cost” for Israel, Anadolu news agency reported.
In a news briefing in Jerusalem, Sa’ar claimed that Hamas’ rule in Gaza poses a significant threat to both Israel’s security and the Palestinian people.
“There would be no future peace, stability and security for both sides if Hamas remained in power in Gaza,” he said.
The Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement took effect at 11.15 a.m. local time (0915GMT) on Sunday after a few hours’ delay due to Israeli accusations for Hamas of delaying the release of a list of captives set to be let go. It was originally scheduled to start on 8.30 a.m.
“Israel is committed to achieving its objectives in the Gaza war, including the return of hostages and dismantling of Hamas,” Sa’ar said.
He added that although Israel has not succeeded in fully removing Hamas, it has made progress in weakening the group.
“The ceasefire is temporary and any more permanent truce will not be negotiated until day 16 of the agreement,” he added.
The Israeli minister warned that if a “satisfactory” agreement is not reached, including the removal of Hamas and the return of all Israeli captives, Israel will resume its war on Gaza.
Nearly 47,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 110,700 others injured in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since 7 October 2023, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli war has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in what has become one of the worst global humanitarian disasters to date.
In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
