Netanyahu's First Apology for 'Hamas Defense Failure'... "Hamas, Ceasefire Upon Immediate Surrender"

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, spoke out about the war responsibility directed at him and the possibility of a ceasefire. While apologizing for failing to prevent the surprise attack by the Palestinian armed faction Hamas on October 7 last year, he expressed a firm stance on achieving the goal of eradicating Hamas.

In an exclusive interview with the U.S. news magazine Time published on the 8th (local time), Netanyahu was asked whether he would apologize to the Israeli people regarding the Hamas surprise attack. He replied, "Of course," and said, "I am sorry, deeply, that this happened."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

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However, when asked how much responsibility he believed he bore, he said, "We need to consider failures in intelligence, operational capabilities, and other policies," but avoided a direct answer by adding, "However, dealing with this now is a mistake. We are in the middle of a war on seven fronts. We must focus solely on victory."

This is the first time Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly apologized for failing to properly prevent Hamas's surprise attack. However, he has effectively not acknowledged responsibility for the defense failure directly linked to his political career. Earlier, on October 28 last year, Netanyahu had blamed the military command for not anticipating Hamas's attack but retracted his statement after public backlash.

On the same day, Netanyahu repeatedly avoided answering questions about Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's top political leader who died in Iran on the 31st of last month, saying, "I will not comment." Israel neither confirms nor denies the assassination of Haniyeh. However, when asked if there was a possibility of reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas despite Haniyeh's assassination, he responded, "I think so," and assessed that "the possibility has increased because some extremist factions opposing the agreement have disappeared."

He continued, "If possible, I want to end the war even tomorrow," emphasizing, "If Hamas lays down its arms, surrenders, and is expelled, the war will end immediately." This is interpreted as a refusal to agree to a ceasefire until the war goal of eradicating Hamas is achieved.

Netanyahu reaffirmed the 'demilitarization and de-radicalization' principle he proposed regarding the post-war Gaza Strip plan. He explained, "This means destroying Hamas to an irrecoverable level and preventing weapons and terrorists from flowing into the Gaza Strip from the Sinai Peninsula," adding, "We must continue to control the Philadelphi Corridor (the buffer zone on the Israel-Egypt border)." He also said, "I want to see a civilian administration run by Gaza Strip residents," adding, "Israel will handle demilitarization, and Gaza will take charge of civilian governance."

Regarding the poll result showing that 72% of Israelis want Netanyahu to resign, he dismissed it by saying, "I am not attached to the prime ministership," but added, "As long as I believe my role remains for Israel's security and prosperity, I will stay as prime minister. I believe I am leading my country on the path to victory."

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