In a recent interview with Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, he discussed the ongoing conflict with Hamas and the importance of uprooting the capability of the terrorist organization. President Herzog emphasized that the war against Hamas is not limited to Al-Shifa Hospital, but rather extends throughout Gaza, where Hamas is deeply entrenched with billions of dollars of support from the West. He acknowledged the heartbreaking and tormenting situation faced by the families of the hostages held by Hamas and expressed hope for progress in negotiations for their release.

When asked about reports of Israel considering releasing Palestinian women and children from prisons in exchange for hostages, President Herzog clarified that these reports are not referring to murderers or criminals, but rather may involve non-violent prisoners. He stressed that the release of hostages remains the main priority and that talks are ongoing with mediators such as Qatar and Egypt, with the involvement of the United States.

In regards to the peace process with the Palestinians, President Herzog acknowledged the challenges posed by the celebration of atrocities and the culture of hate propagated by terrorist groups like Hamas, ISIS, and al Qaeda. He highlighted the need for safety and security for Israel and expressed doubts about progress in the peace process without a genuine commitment to fighting terror from Palestinian leaders.

The interviewer raised concerns about the civilian casualties in Gaza and questioned the effectiveness and accuracy of Israel's military and intelligence operations. President Herzog expressed sorrow for innocent casualties and emphasized that Israel is making every effort to comply with international humanitarian law. He mentioned the use of warnings, alerts, and humanitarian corridors to protect civilians, but acknowledged that sometimes casualties can occur. He stressed the right and duty of Israel to defend itself and its people.

In a separate interview, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan addressed the issue of Israel's assault on Gaza's health system. He acknowledged reports of Hamas using hospitals for command and control, weapons storage, and housing fighters, which violates the laws of war. Sullivan emphasized the United States' desire to avoid firefights in hospitals and highlighted ongoing consultations with the Israeli Defense Forces to ensure the safety and security of patients while addressing the use of hospitals by Hamas. He condemned the use of human shields by Hamas and emphasized the need for a civilized approach to using hospitals.

Overall, both interviews shed light on the complexities of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the importance of uprooting Hamas' capabilities, the efforts for hostage negotiations, and the challenges of balancing security with humanitarian concerns.