In the face of increasing pressure from the United States, Britain, and Germany, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his strong opposition to establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel under an interim government overseen by the Palestinian Authority. Speaking only hours after the army admitted to accidentally shooting three Israeli hostages as they held up a white flag in Gaza, Mr. Netanyahu appeared to be trying to change the subject, boasting that he had prevented the creation of a Palestinian state in the past and would continue to do so.
“I’m proud that I prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state because today everybody understands what that Palestinian state could have been,” he said at a news conference. “Now that we’ve seen the little Palestinian state in Gaza, everyone understands what would have happened if we had capitulated to international pressures and enabled a state like that on the West Bank.”
As the war continues without resolution, the deaths mount, and many hostages remain in custody in Gaza, Mr. Netanyahu faces criticism for waiting to express regret for the deaths of the three Israeli hostages. His efforts have garnered criticism as well, given the growing demands from families of the hostages for a renewed effort at a ceasefire in Gaza to allow negotiations for their release.
Now, the actions of the Israeli soldiers who killed hostages, rather than rescue them, may give more impetus to those who argue that the intense military campaign is endangering those still held captive, as well as bringing Israel into disrepute.
Despite Mr. Netanyahu’s stance, the French foreign minister visiting Israel on Sunday called for a truce. France has joined others in urging Israel to negotiate with the Palestinians toward a two-state solution, aligning with the American plan for a postwar Gaza — which Mr. Netanyahu is trying to forestall.
The killings made the risks to the remaining hostages “very concrete,” said Mr. Levy, the military expert. He further stated that the incident “gave a boost to the prisoner exchange movement, and could bring Netanyahu and other ministers to consider paying a higher price for the prisoner exchange.”