Trump Advisor: Hamas Will Never Rule Gaza

As a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas begins, senior Israeli officials have stated that the war will continue until all hostages are freed. Mike Waltz, Donald Trump's pick for U.S. National Security Advisor, has said, "Hamas will never rule Gaza. This is completely unacceptable." Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, during a visit to an Israeli military base near Gaza, which is set to be the site for the initial examination of freed hostages on Sunday, stated, "We will not stop the war until all [hostages] return home." Gallant emphasized that the army is prepared to protect Israeli citizens "even during the ceasefire." He promised that soldiers will remain in the buffer zone along the Gaza border and will respond with force to any violation [of the ceasefire] and threats. In Jerusalem, Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Foreign Minister, stated that Hamas's continued control of Gaza poses a threat to Israel's security and is a "nightmare for the Palestinians themselves." Sa'ar added during a press conference with foreign media that if Hamas remains in power, the instability created by this group may continue. He echoed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks, stating that the current ceasefire is "temporary" and negotiations for a "permanent ceasefire" will begin on the sixteenth day of the current agreement. Sa'ar expressed hope for a permanent ceasefire but noted that achieving this requires the overthrow of Hamas and the return of all hostages; otherwise, the war against Hamas will resume. In this context, Mike Waltz stated in an interview with CBS News that if Hamas violates the current agreement with Israel, the United States will support Israel "in doing what it needs to do." Waltz reiterated, "Hamas will never rule Gaza. This is completely unacceptable." Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized Israel's determination to destroy Hamas's military and governmental capabilities, ensure permanent security from Gaza, and return all hostages. Netanyahu, in a message to Israeli citizens, highlighted three fundamental principles of the agreement, including maintaining the ability to return to war, increasing the number of living hostages in the early stages of freedom, and ensuring Israel's complete control over the Philadelphi route and security buffer zones in Gaza. He stated, "We will not allow weapons to be smuggled into Gaza and hostages to be taken out of this area." He described Hamas's October 7 attack as "the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust" and said, "In this war, we have shown our enemies and the world that when the people of Israel are united, no force can defeat them. It is this strong spirit of our nation that leads us to success." Netanyahu also expressed condolences to the grieving families and victims of the war and referred to the military successes of the country, stating, "We have eliminated Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, as well as Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah leaders, and have severely weakened the military capabilities of Syria, the Houthis in Yemen, and the Iranian axis." Netanyahu thanked the Biden administration and Trump's incoming government for their cooperation in achieving this agreement, saying, "Both presidents have fully supported Israel's right to return to war if negotiations fail." The battle between the Israeli army and the Iranian-backed Palestinian group Hamas began with the group's terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of more than 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly. Joy among Gaza residents coincided with the start of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which was announced by Israel; the ceasefire was implemented with a few hours delay. The names of three female hostages who will be released by Hamas today were provided, and Netanyahu stated, "We will not cease efforts until the last hostage returns."