Netanyahu Open to Peace But Skeptical About Long-term Outcomes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat down with CBS News' Tony Dokoupil near Tel Aviv, where he and his wife met with former hostages and their families.

The former hostages shared harrowing tales of their captivity, describing the long periods they spent underground with minimal sunlight and nourishment.

Avinatan Or recounted significant weight loss while in Hamas' captivity but found solace in reuniting with his partner, Noa Argamani, who had also been held hostage.

Netanyahu noticed a common thread among stories—none of the former captives, including Or, abandoned hope during their ordeal.

"They had faith in our system to free them," Netanyahu expressed to CBS News.

Temporary Ceasefire: A Prelude to Peace?

Despite former President Trump's declarations of peace, Netanyahu admits the conflict continues.

Israeli forces remain stationed across half of Gaza. Meanwhile, armed Hamas members still exert control over the rest of the territory, engaging rival factions and projecting power.

Given these realities, Netanyahu asserted that Israel's leadership is 'giving peace a chance.'

The terms of Trump's 20-point peace initiative are explicit: ensure hostage release while maintaining military presence. Following that, the focus shifts to demilitarization and disarmament—first, by removing arms from Hamas, and second, by ensuring no weapon production within Gaza.

"We agreed to see the first step through, and now aim to achieve the second through peaceful means," Netanyahu shared.

He emphasized to Dokoupil the leader's duty of safeguarding Israel's very existence.

Survey data reflects declining U.S. support, with only 35% holding a favorable view of the Israeli government compared to 47% before the conflict. Moreover, there's a stark divide by age in opinions on U.S. military aid to Israel.

When pressed on repairing Israel's image internationally, Netanyahu affirmed the solution lies in ending the war swiftly. He remarked that prolonging conflict serves no one, emphasizing his personal aversion to war.

Significant hurdles remain: Hamas' full disarmament hasn't happened, not all hostages' remains are returned, and Israel has limited Gaza's humanitarian aid—stalling progress on Trump's peace accord.

The Future of Gaza's Governance in Question

Dokoupil pondered who would govern Gaza post-conflict, a detail not thoroughly addressed by Trump’s peace plan.

Netanyahu deflected specific names but highlighted the transitional phase and the need for governance void of animosity towards Israel.

He acknowledged a diversity of opinion within Gaza, with many condemning Hamas for their dire circumstances.

Netanyahu stressed the importance of dismantling any hopes fueled by fanaticism, emphasizing that the survival of Israel is not negotiable.

The means to achieving stable governance remain contentious.

Revisiting the Two-State Solution

Globally, the idea of a Palestinian state alongside Israel is often promoted as a pathway to lasting peace, but Netanyahu and the Trump administration have reservations.

Netanyahu conveyed that any potential Palestinian governance must lack military capacity to threaten Israel, proposing they'll self-govern without endangering Israeli security.

He reiterated that ceding territory does not equate to Palestine’s independence due to potential security threats from radicals or Iranian influence.

Netanyahu envisioned a scenario contingent on Palestinian institutions promoting peaceful coexistence, though he admitted this peace could take generations.

Remaining in control of military power is essential for Israel, Netanyahu concluded.