Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has voiced strong criticism of international statements regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, asserting they have negatively impacted negotiations and accusing Hamas of exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Saar, in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, expressed concern over a joint statement signed by over 20 countries calling for an end to the war in Gaza, which he deemed “colossally damaging” to ongoing discussions. He noted that the statement, which also called for the release of hostages held by Hamas, appeared to have emboldened the organization’s position.
According to Saar, this hardening of the Hamas stance contributed to the recent collapse of ceasefire talks in Doha. He contrasted the perceived rationality of Germany’s position with what he characterized as less pragmatic approaches adopted by other EU member states.
Saar placed the responsibility for the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza squarely on Hamas, alleging the organization systematically diverts UN aid supplies. This, he argued, allows Hamas to recruit new terrorists and prolong the conflict. While the New York Times recently reported on Israeli military sources disputing claims of systematic diversion of aid by Hamas, Saar maintained the accusation. Current estimates suggest a daily need of at least 500 trucks delivering aid to Gaza, but recent weeks have seen only around 70 trucks entering.
Saar attributed the intense international focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza to what he described as anti-Israel sentiment. He defended Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s recent comments characterizing Israel’s role as performing “dirty work” for the world. He asserted that Israel would not be deterred by sanctions or pressure to recognize a future Palestinian state.
According to humanitarian agencies, 469,500 people in Gaza are currently experiencing famine at the highest level of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) scale. This figure is surpassed only by Sudan, which faces a crisis impacting 637,234 individuals.
Referring to the West Bank, Saar avoided describing the territory as “occupied” instead labeling it as “disputed”. This phrasing follows a 2024 legal opinion from the International Court of Justice which stated that Israeli settlement policies in the West Bank constitute an unlawful annexation under international law. While not definitively ruling out a two-state solution, Saar expressed skepticism, warning that a Palestinian state established under current conditions could become a “jihadist terrorist state” within Israeli territory.
Saar stated Israel has no intention of governing Gaza or forcibly displacing Palestinians. However, he suggested that many Palestinians desire to leave the region and argued that Israel has a “duty” to facilitate this. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to continuing military operations until all hostages are released and Hamas is dismantled.
