On Saturday's “CNN This Morning,” Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Maj. Doron Szpilman responded to the White House's complaints about Israel over the ceasefire, saying, “For a full year, Hezbollah has fired rockets, more than 9,000 rockets, We launched missiles, we launched murderous drones, and no one talked about a ceasefire. Now that Israel is actually claiming to protect civilians, we're asking for a ceasefire,” he said. Without, [that Israel have] A ceasefire should require Hezbollah's withdrawal. ”
asked co-host Jim Schutt.[A]There are current concerns among U.S. officials that conflicts in the Middle East could escalate further, but as you know, the U.S. is trying to avoid that, and whether it's a cease-fire related to Lebanon, Hezbollah or Lebanon. This was part of the motivation for the negotiations. Early ceasefire negotiations related to Israel and Gaza. Did Israel carry out this attack over American objections? ”
In response, Szpilman said, “Israel carried out this attack because, as we have said from the beginning, Hezbollah stands in the way of the northward movement of Israeli civilians and peace in northern Israel as a whole.'' ” he answered. Israel clearly felt that Nasrallah was a prime target. …We are working very closely with the United States. They are our greatest ally, but at the end of the day, Israel has the independence to seek to achieve its military objectives in order to protect its own people. ”
Ciutto then said, “But the truth is that certainly U.S. officials are dissatisfied with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's relationship in the White House, and that the U.S. is investing diplomatic capital and other capital in Israel.'' It is certain that they are recognized as supporting the government.” Militarily, since October 7, and before October 7, Prime Minister Netanyahu has not returned the favor, so to speak, in terms of, for example, crossing the finish line in Gaza and getting a ceasefire and hostage release agreements. Is that a fair criticism? ”
Spielman replied: “Jim, I can tell you that the last year has been the biggest challenge in Israel's history. We faced threats from seven different fronts, including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in the north, and Hamas in Gaza, to name just a few. This is a time for Israel to look back, for the world to look back and say, who will support Israel at this time? And the United States, I'm not a politician, I'm here on behalf of the military. , our greatest friend, supports Israel and understands our objectives.As for the ceasefire, Hezbollah has continued to fire rockets, more than 9,000 rockets, missiles and murderous drones for a full year. But no one talked about a ceasefire. Now that Israel is actually insisting on protecting civilians, we are asking for a ceasefire. As we said, and the Israeli military said. As we have said, we will accept anything as long as Israeli civilians can return home.[s] Hezbollah then retreats behind Litani. What we know is that right now, Hezbollah, all of those rockets and missiles are in their own homes, and they are in the homes of civilians. You've probably seen the photo. They don't care about Lebanese civilians. They don't care about Israeli civilians. And the world, instead of demanding, [that Israel have] A ceasefire should require Hezbollah's withdrawal. ”
to follow Ian Hanchett's Twitter @Ian Hanchett
