Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor has expressed cautious optimism regarding reports that Hamas may agree to a ceasefire. Speaking to German broadcasters RTL and ntv on Thursday, Ambassador Prosor stated, “I am first of all glad that the reports now show that Hamas might be agreeable. But we know Hamas. It is a pact with the devil.
He emphasized the dire conditions of the hostages held in Gaza for nearly two years, noting their lack of food, medicine and contact with the Red Cross. “From my point of view, it is clear that we will do everything to bring the hostages home. We have always said yes, Hamas has always said no to these proposals” Prosor added, expressing hope for a successful deal this time.
The Ambassador reiterated Israel’s position that Hamas cannot remain in the Gaza Strip following the October 7th attacks. “Hamas carried out a massacre on October 7th and Hamas cannot remain in Gaza. This military infrastructure must be eliminated so that we can build something new” he asserted. “We cannot have a different region, an optimistic future, with Hamas. And we must all understand this. Hamas cannot remain.
Prosor acknowledged that Hamas’s ideology would persist but argued that, in comparison to ISIS, they no longer possess the capacity to implement it through attacks on Israelis and Jews. “That is something we will never accept again” he affirmed.
Looking towards a lasting peace in the Gaza Strip, Prosor highlighted the Abraham Accords as an opportunity for expansion with additional nations, shifting the focus from conflict to peace. “Now, after a year and a half, after Israel fought on seven fronts, for the first time there is a government without Hezbollah in Lebanon. Assad is no longer there, the mullahs and ayatollahs are weakened and Hamas is also weakened” Prosor explained. “Now we have a chance to bring a better future to this region”.
