Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat told CNBC that the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is not a “strategic” victory for the Jewish state.
The deal, announced last week, has so far released Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and, if all parties comply, would go ahead with freeing prisoners and ending a devastating 15-month war between the two rival countries.
Still, Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat told CNBC’s Dan Murphy at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday: “I don’t think it’s a strategic victory. A strategic victory is bringing peace to the Middle East.”
He added that such an outcome would prevent Iran, a historical ally of Hamas, from achieving what Barkat said was Tehran’s goal of “wiping Israel off the map.”
“We need to make sure that they never have this situation. On October 7, there were traces of Iran everywhere in our region,” the minister said, referring to the 2023 Hamas-led attack in Israel. Killed approximately 1,200 people and killed many more.
“We must make sure they pay a heavy price for this,” he added. He said Israel must also hunt down “jihadists” in Lebanon, Gaza and “all over the world” and expand the Abraham Accords – a series of agreements . Agreement aimed at normalizing Arab-Israeli relations.
“This will be a strategic victory,” Barkat said.
People walk towards their homes through the destroyed streets of Gaza City on January 19, 2025.
Abu Salama | AFP | Getty Images
Israel’s relentless bombing of Gaza and strict restrictions on the supply of food and aid to the blockaded enclave in response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack have left more than 46,000 Palestinians in the strip dead, according to local health authorities. People die.
The United Nations and World Health Organization, along with several other international aid agencies, have described the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian disaster” as the destruction of hospitals and vital infrastructure has exacerbated hunger and disease there.
Since the ceasefire agreement was reached, Aid supplies enter the enclave increased.
Israel’s economy minister expressed optimism about the incoming administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting his leadership will be better for Israel than his predecessor, Joe Biden.
“President Biden is limiting Israel…President Trump is supporting Israel, and we appreciate his help,” Barkat said, describing Trump as proposing a policy that was more aggressive toward Iran and more supportive of expanding the policy he brokered during his previous term. The path of the Abraham Accords.
“I believe this is the right attitude in the Middle East. You have to be very positive with the bad people and kind with the good people,” he said. “And, please note, we have had peace with our neighbors – with Egypt, 40 years, with Jordan, 25 years – the Abraham Accords, four years (since 2020) after this round of violence. They Understand that we cooperate.”
The Biden administration has provided $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel in one year since October 7, 2023, according to a Cost of War Project report released by Brown University in October 2024.
