– Waiting longer to get the hostages back will end up with us not destroying Hamas and not getting the hostages back, says Olmert to news. He says the most important task for the Israeli government and military, in his opinion, is to provide security for their citizens. – We fail to do that on 7 October, therefore we must get everyone back, regardless of the cost. An Israeli soldier pictured in the area where Hamas attacked during a music festival on 7 October. Photo: ARIS MESSINIS / AFP There is now an intense debate here in Israel about what should happen next in Gaza. On that side are Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli right. They want to continue the war in Rafah. They say it’s the only way to win the war. Netanyahu has promised a “total victory”. On the other side are those who would rather reach an agreement with Hamas so that the hostages return home. Many countries, including the United States, are now trying to help reach such an agreement. The town of Rafah is filled with tent camps. The city has grown from 280,000 inhabitants to 1.5 million. – I only see loss. Olmert is clear about what he means. – The Prime Minister’s statements are pure nonsense. I repeat in case anyone misunderstands or cannot believe that I am saying something like this: It is pure nonsense. There is no such thing as “total victory”. – There will always be a room where he can say that this is not a total victory and we just have to keep going and keep going, he says. news met Olmert on Sunday, i.e. before the two Israeli hostages were rescued in Rafah. But there are still 134 Israeli hostages left. It is unclear how many of them are alive. Palestinian children search the ruins of an Israeli attack in Rafah. Photo: IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA / Reuters Israel has also received unusually strong warnings about entering Rafah from the international community. Even the United States, which has supported Israel throughout the war, has warned of the costs of such an operation. Olmert believes the price for continuing the war in Rafah is far too high. – We shouldn’t do that. The costs for us will be far higher than what we get out of it. We are risking our relationship with Egypt. We could completely lose American support, and this will take some time, given where we are now. Israel’s position in the international community is getting even worse. I only see losses. – Are you also concerned about the loss of Palestinian lives? – Of course. Hope the US will speak up. Olmert was prime minister of Israel between 2006 and 2009. He led the country through the war against Hezbollah in 2006 and was also in power during the war against Hamas in 2008 and 2009. He had to resign, among other things, as a result of corruption charges he later was convicted and sent to prison for. He believes that Netanyahu fears suffering the same fate. The sitting prime minister also has a corruption investigation hanging over him. He no longer has any political position in Israel, but is still part of the public conversation. He hopes the US will soon speak out clearly after giving Israel outstanding support and friendship throughout the war. – Are we waiting for the American government to say to the Israeli government: Hey, guys, enough is enough. I hope they will have the courage, determination and strength to do it, says Olmert. – Enough is enough of the war? – Yes. President Biden hints at it. I think it will come soon, that he says enough is enough. Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promises victory in Gaza. Olmert believes that only President Joe Biden can stop the war. Photo: Reuters Olmert believes, like the vast majority here, that Israel had to go to war after the Hamas attack on 7 October. He says the killings and hostage-taking of civilian Israelis cannot be forgotten or forgiven, and that there can be no peace as long as Hamas is in power. There is not much attention in Israel about the loss of civilian life in Gaza. Olmert says that Hamas had its military headquarters in the center of the cities and that civilian lives would inevitably be lost. He thinks the international community judges Israel harshly. But he still apologizes profusely: – I want to say as clearly and straight forward as possible. I deplore each and every loss of life of uninvolved Palestinians. I am sorry for every baby, every civilian who has been killed as a result of this operation, even though everyone in the international community understood that we had to launch a counter-offensive after the attack we were subjected to.
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Former Israeli prime minister wants an end to the war in Rafah – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
