US State Department Spokesperson: Israel's Goal is to Eliminate Hamas from Gaza

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, stated at a press conference on Thursday, October 18, that Israel's ultimate goal is to eliminate and remove Hamas so that it cannot govern Gaza as it has in the past. Miller mentioned that Israel wants to ensure that Hamas will not be able to exist in Gaza and carry out terrorist attacks against Israel as it did before. The focus of Israel and the US is currently on this issue, and no decisions have yet been made regarding the political future of Gaza. The spokesperson noted that this matter requires significant diplomatic work. Currently, the US, Israel, and Egypt are working to create conditions for sending humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. David Satterfield, the US Special Representative for Humanitarian Affairs, has been engaged in discussions and planning on this matter since Tuesday. Miller stated that Israel and Egypt have promised cooperation, and it is expected to be implemented in the coming days, with the Rafah crossing at the Gaza-Egypt border opening. A halt to Israeli military operations in the area is one of the conditions that Satterfield is pursuing. Given that there is no Israeli or international force in Gaza, one of the concerns for Israel and the US is to ensure that aid does not fall into the hands of Hamas. Miller stated that those armed in Gaza are members of Hamas, and there is a possibility that they might want to seize these items for their benefit. Another responsibility of Satterfield in cooperation with Israel and UN agencies is to determine safe areas in Gaza for those wishing to leave northern Gaza. In consultations with regional leaders, one of the goals of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was to prevent the escalation of the conflict. However, in recent days, there has been brief exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah at the border of the two countries. Miller noted that "incidents, such as protests around the embassy, were observed," and it was necessary to ask American citizens in Lebanon to leave the country as soon as possible. Miller reiterated the warning from the US President that it is better for hostile countries to Israel not to enter this conflict. Miller's justification for vetoing the draft resolution in the UN Security Council for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid was that, primarily, Israel's right to defend itself was not considered, and that the US is trying to achieve humanitarian assistance and civilian protection through diplomacy.