Hamas Must Be Dismantled for Gaza’s Future, Says Ambassador

Mike Huckabee, the Israeli ambassador, expressed that Hamas has no future in Gaza and should be completely dismantled, drawing a parallel to Nazi Germany post-World War II. Speaking to I24 News, Huckabee acknowledged hopes for progress in hostage negotiations but noted that Hamas often complicates these efforts. “We’ve thought we were close for months, yet every time we think we’re on the verge of retrieving all the hostages, something – it always trips us up,” he remarked. He mentioned, however, that any return of hostages is a positive development.

Looking ahead, he confirmed that President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are set to convene in Washington next week, with the hostage crisis being a primary discussion point. “Clearly, the most important issue on the agenda is the release of all hostages,” Huckabee stated.

He commended President Trump’s strong position on Hamas, emphasizing that there’s no future for the group in Gaza. He made historical comparisons, arguing that it’s unreasonable to think of allowing entities like Hamas to remain in power. “It’s akin to suggesting that we should allow the Nazis to continue ruling Germany after the war; it’s not a wise approach by any standard,” he stressed.

Huckabee maintained that the goal is to end the war with Hamas entirely, advocating for their complete removal from power and influence. “That’s where the challenge lies—finishing this once and for all, ensuring Hamas can no longer hold or torture hostages,” he explained.

When asked about Israel’s internal political landscape, Huckabee didn’t delve too deeply but highlighted the unity among Israelis in wanting to conclude the conflict. “I’ve never met anyone in Israel who desires to prolong the war or doesn’t wish for the hostages to come home,” he asserted.

Addressing U.S. policies, Huckabee affirmed the importance of supporting Israel without meddling in its internal affairs. “It’s not fitting for the U.S. to dictate to Israelis,” he pointed out. “We honor Israel’s sovereignty. That respect is fundamental to our partnership.”

He also reflected on the historic U.S.-Israel relationship, noting its uniqueness and depth, which underscores the alliance’s strength and strategic significance.

On the topic of Iran, Huckabee reiterated the stance of the Trump administration regarding nuclear weapons, asserting that Iran must never be allowed to possess them. “Both Israelis and Americans, along with Europeans, agree that Iran cannot acquire nuclear capabilities,” he remarked.

Lastly, Huckabee expressed optimism for the future of the Abraham Accords, viewing them as a framework for enhancing regional peace. “I think the potential to expand these agreements to include more countries is really going to astonish people,” he concluded.