PA minister says Netanyahu wants war to continue, no Gaza truce in sight

In a recent interview with Euronews, Palestinian Authority’s Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki made a bold statement regarding the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. According to al-Maliki, there is no possibility for a ceasefire deal because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the “killing” in Gaza to continue.

Al-Maliki explained that Netanyahu’s political ambitions are driving the conflict, as a ceasefire would prevent him from achieving his goals. He accused Netanyahu of keeping the entire region hostage to his own agenda, stating that a cessation of hostilities would prompt intervention from the US and other parties to make the temporary peace permanent.

Indirect truce talks between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, have resumed after previous failures to reach an agreement. However, the stakes are high, with Netanyahu confirming a military operation in Rafah despite international outcry and fears of worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Al-Maliki warned that an offensive on Rafah could trigger instability in the region, potentially leading to violence in Lebanon and a regional war involving the US. He also criticized European leaders for their response to the conflict, noting a sense of disillusionment and anger among EU counterparts.

Efforts to recognize the State of Palestine are gaining momentum, with several European countries and non-EU member states pushing for progress in the peace process. The United Nations General Assembly is set to debate a draft resolution supporting Palestinian membership, with some European countries signaling their support for the initiative.

Despite the challenges and complexities of the situation, al-Maliki remains hopeful that progress towards recognizing the State of Palestine will continue in the coming days.