'Netanyahu does not want peace. He wants the war to go on' - Israeli journalist
What does the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh mean for Gaza ceasefire talks?
FILE: US President Joe Biden (L) sits with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the start of the Israeli war cabinet meeting, in Tel Aviv on 18 October 2023. Picture: AFP
Lester Kiewit talks with Haggai Matar (Executive Director of Israel's +972 Magazine) about Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial US visit, domestic disillusionment, and the potential political fallout in Israel.
Listen below.
A peace deal is still possible in the Middle East if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is interested in such an agreement.
That's according to the left-wing news and opinion online magazine +972, a Tel Aviv-based publication that provides independent commentary and news from Israel and Palestine.
Matai's comments come against the backdrop of the assassination on Wednesday of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran.
"It could have been very likely, it could have been very possible, but I don't think we were actually close to a deal, because Netanyahu doesn't want a peace deal."
- Haggai Matar, Executive Director - +972 Magazine
"I think he wants the war to go on, at least until November, so that he can influence the elections in the US and support his ally Donald Trump."
- Haggai Matar, Executive Director - +972 Magazine
"Even after the assasination (Hezbollah) said, we will retaliate, and still we are interested in a ceasefire if the war in Gaza ends, we will end the war in the North of Israel. So they're not taking it off the table. Hamas is not taking it off the table."
- Haggai Matar, Executive Director - +972 Magazine
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