Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said yesterday that Hamas, led by Yahya Sinwar, is the main obstacle to peace in Gaza, local media reported.
“The conditions for a long-term arrangement with Hamas are the return of the boys to their homes, and a commitment to total calm in the south of the country,” Gantz said during a briefing held with foreign envoys regarding the security situation in Israel.
“Anyone who harms Israeli citizens or Israeli army soldiers will pay the price,” Gantz warned.
He added that the Palestinian Authority and its leadership are the representatives of the Palestinians in the region, and Israel is working to reinforce it in the West Bank.
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