Israeli minister lists three goals for the military operation in the West Bank

Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid said that the military operation in the West Bank has three goals, namely returning kidnapped settlers, destroying Hamas, and dismantling the Palestinian unity government.

In an interview with the Israeli Channel 2 Friday, Lapid said: “we have to manage a military operation reasonably, especially that we are approaching Ramadan. This is why I stand against confrontation with the Palestinians.”

He pointed out that the military operations in the West Bank and Hebron are complicated. “We do not want another uprising,” he said.

He added that Israel is “100 percent sure” that Hamas is behind the kidnapping of teenage settlers.

The United Nations Middle East peace process envoy Robert Serry expressed his concerns regarding Israel’s security operation since the disappearance of three Israeli settlers. The crackdown has led to the arrest of over 300 Palestinians and the death of three, in addition to the injury of dozens.

Serry urged Israel to exercise self-restraint and to adhere to international law.

Hamas has denied responsibility for the kidnapping of Israelis, and no Palestinian faction has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.