IDF Spokesman Says Hamas Will Still Be in Gaza 5 Years From Now

Netanyahu criticized the spokesman for making the comments

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari has said that Hamas will still be in Gaza five years from now in his latest comments that cast doubt on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal of eliminating the Palestinian group.

“Israel is planning a long war against Hamas,” Hagari told ABC. “Will you and me be talking five years from now about Hamas as a terror organization in Gaza? The answer is yes.”

Hagari made similar comments recently that were more directly critical of Netanyahu’s goal. “This business of destroying Hamas, making Hamas disappear – it’s simply throwing sand in the eyes of the public,” he said on June 19. “Hamas is an idea, Hamas is a party. It’s rooted in the hearts of the people – whoever thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong.”

According to Israel’s Channel 14, Netanyahu criticized Hagari in private for his latest comments. “There are also members of Hamas in the West Bank, but there is no Hamas rule. There are neo-Nazis in Germany, but there is no Nazi rule,” Netanyahu said. “Israel will eliminate Hamas’s rule and will not allow it to control the Gaza Strip again and threaten Israel from there.”

Hamas has been able to re-establish itself in some of the cities that have been almost completely decimated by Israeli forces, including Gaza City and Khan Younis. The Israeli military has re-invaded some places several times, demonstrating that its genocidal tactics are not achieving Netanyahu’s stated goal.

The US continues to provide strong military and political support for Israel despite Netanyahu’s own military saying his main goal cannot be achieved. Netanyahu is also sabotaging the chances of a ceasefire deal to maintain his grip on power.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.