Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has firmly dismissed what he termed a “distorted campaign” of international pressure demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Speaking during a press briefing in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Saar reiterated that Israel will not yield to calls for ending the war while Hamas remains in control of Gaza and continues to hold hostages.
Saar, who has maintained a staunch position throughout the nearly two-year-long conflict, asserted that any pause in Israel’s military offensive at this point would be disastrous for both Palestinians and Israelis. “It ain’t gonna happen, no matter how much pressure is put on Israel,” he told reporters, stressing that halting the campaign would only embolden Hamas and prolong instability in the region.
The war, which began after Hamas launched a bloody cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, has drawn widespread international condemnation, with growing demands for a ceasefire. Humanitarian organizations and a UN-backed monitor have warned that Gaza is facing an “unfolding” famine, with urgent calls to open corridors for food and aid supplies.
Despite this, Saar maintained that Hamas bears full responsibility for the conflict, and that international efforts aimed at forcing Israel’s hand could backfire. “When they demand end this war, what does it really mean? Ending the war while Hamas remains in power in Gaza?” he queried.
The minister also took aim at renewed diplomatic overtures for a two-state solution, notably from France. “The French foreign minister said in New York yesterday that Europe must pressure Israel to accept a two-state solution,” Saar recounted. However, he dismissed such calls outright, warning that the creation of a Palestinian state at this time would amount to the legitimization of a “Hamas state, a jihadist state.”
“It ain’t gonna happen,” he repeated emphatically, reinforcing Israel’s position against conceding to international appeals that, in his view, overlook the realities on the ground.
What You Should Know
Israel’s firm rejection of a ceasefire and a two-state solution, as reiterated by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, underscores the country’s unwavering stance in the prolonged Gaza conflict.
Saar’s comments reflect Israel’s belief that ending hostilities while Hamas maintains power would not bring peace, but rather embolden what Israel sees as a terrorist threat. The nearly two-year conflict has not only strained regional stability but has also drawn intense international scrutiny, with global powers urging a shift toward diplomacy.
Still, Israeli leadership sees any move toward Palestinian statehood under current conditions as a dangerous concession that risks legitimizing extremism.
