Olmert: Gaza is Palestinian land, and Israel must withdraw

In an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera, Ehud Olmert, former Israeli Prime Minister, referred to the U.S. and Europe’s support for Israel’s attack on Gaza following the “Al-Aqsa Storm” operation, saying: “At that time, everyone knew this war would endanger the lives of many civilians, but that was 18 months ago. Today, we must stop the war, release the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and our forces must withdraw from Gaza because Gaza is Palestinian land.”

Olmert told Al Jazeera: “Continuing this war will achieve no objectives, will endanger the lives of the hostages, and will lead to the deaths of more Palestinians. This war must stop, and the lives of those who did not participate in the October 7 attack should not be at risk.”

The former Israeli Prime Minister also emphasized that he heard from Steve Witkoff, the U.S. President’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, that “current efforts to reach an agreement that returns the hostages and resolves the historical conflict between Israelis and Palestinians will be helpful.”

Olmert further stated: “Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, along with Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of Internal Security, and Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister, do not represent Israel. Many [in the occupied territories] oppose continuing the war and call for aid to civilians in Gaza.”

Expressing hope that “this internal Israeli dispute will help restore the rights of Gaza’s residents, which Netanyahu has declared he intends to permanently occupy,” Olmert said: “Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are terrorists whose threat to Israel is no less than that of external enemies.”

He added: “Most Israelis do not agree with these two [Ben-Gvir and Smotrich]. They know Gaza is Palestinian land, want the forces to withdraw from there, and seek a solution with Arab countries that guarantees no new attacks against Israel.”