Mark Regev: Is Israel serving its own best interests?
Jan 18, 2024
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Stephen Sackur talks to Mark Regev, spokesman for Israel’s prime minister, about Israel's strategy in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, including the impact on Gaza, casualties in the region, criticism of Israel's actions in the occupied territories, and pressure for a two-state solution.
Israel's strategy in Gaza aims to destroy Hamas's military capabilities, secure the release of Israeli hostages, and end Hamas's rule in the Gaza Strip.
Israel faces criticism from international actors but contends that its goal is defeating Hamas, not expelling Palestinians from Gaza, and emphasizes the need to prevent future threats to Israel's security.
Deep dives
Israeli government strategy in Gaza
The Israeli government's strategy in Gaza remains focused on destroying Hamas's military capabilities, securing the release of Israeli hostages, and ending Hamas's rule in the Gaza Strip. The tactics for achieving these goals may be fluid, but the overarching objective remains the same. The government cites successful hostage releases and the destruction of Hamas's military operations in certain areas as evidence of progress.
Concerns over civilian casualties
While acknowledging civilian casualties and expressing sympathy for the families affected, the Israeli government argues that it has made maximum efforts to avoid harming innocent civilians. It accuses Hamas of intentionally embedding itself within civilian structures and using civilians as human shields, resulting in a difficult battlefield situation. It refutes accusations of indiscriminate bombing and highlights the challenges of distinguishing between civilians and combatants in a complex conflict.
International perceptions and Israel's position
Israel faces criticism and scrutiny from various international actors, including the United Nations and some countries' officials. It contends that the UN exhibits an anti-Israel bias and accuses South Africa of hypocrisy in its stance. Israel insists that its goal is defeating Hamas, not expelling Palestinians from Gaza, and argues for the importance of maintaining pressure on Hamas to secure the release of hostages. The government also emphasizes the need to prevent future threats to Israel's security.
Stephen Sackur talks to Mark Regev, spokesman for Israel’s prime minister. Israel’s relentless military response to Hamas’s assault on 7 October has unleashed a humanitarian nightmare in Gaza. Is Israel’s strategy serving its own best interests?
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