Developments in the Gaza war: Netanyahu before ceasefire: Can the Gaza war start again?

Shortly before the planned start of the ceasefire in the Gaza war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that the fighting can continue if the agreement fails. Israel reserves the right to return to war if necessary, he said in a speech. He spoke of a “temporary ceasefire.” The first phase of the agreement is initially expected to last six weeks.

If upcoming negotiations on a second phase of the deal remain inconclusive, both US President Joe Biden and his designated successor Donald Trump support Israel’s right to resume fighting in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu claimed. “If we must return to the fight, we will do so in new ways and with great force,” he said – without giving further details.

It is completely unclear whether Israel and the Islamist Hamas will reach an agreement in talks on a second and third phase of the ceasefire agreement. There are several points of contention on which positions differ widely. It is therefore anything but certain that there will be a permanent end to the war. The second phase is scheduled to begin in the seventh week.

The Israeli leader said Israel would achieve all of its war goals in the Gaza Strip, including the destruction of Hamas. Hamas, on the other hand, is demanding a guarantee that the war will end – probably also in order to reposition itself and regain its old position of power.

Israel will not reduce the number of troops in the Philadelphia Corridor along the border with Egypt, but will increase them, Netanyahu announced. According to Israeli media, this statement referred to the first phase of the agreement. The second phase of the deal involves the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip. Israel will not allow arms smuggling into the Palestinian territory, Netanyahu emphasized.