Zhiv: Kosovo will have to enter the Gaza Strip; it will be challenging as Hamas refuses to lay down its arms

Israeli Ambassador to Pristina, Tamar Zhiv, stated in an interview with Koha that her country appreciates Kosovo’s willingness to participate in peacebuilding efforts in Gaza, and warned that this will be challenging since Hamas refuses to lay down its arms.
Zhiv emphasized that, despite the fact that Israel has been at war for two and a half years, she believes sufficient progress has been made in developing relations with Kosovo.

“As you know, we signed a visa waiver agreement, a significant arrangement that opened the way for free travel for Israelis and citizens of Kosovo in both countries, which is important. We have worked on improving economic and cultural relations—last May we held Israeli Cultural Week in Pristina—and we have also worked on academic cooperation, student exchanges, and enabling citizens of Kosovo to attend various courses in Israel,” she said.
Speaking about the situation in Gaza Strip, she noted that it is divided into two parts—one under the control of Israel and the other under the control of Hamas.
“Unfortunately, since the ceasefire with Hamas, that organization has been relentlessly working to strengthen its military capabilities in order to launch a new war against Israel. Hamas is also taking a significant portion of the humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip and deriving financial benefit from the current situation. Five countries, including Kosovo, will at some point have to enter the Gaza Strip, with each being responsible for a specific area. It is still unclear what the mandate of these forces will be. I believe this will be challenging, as Hamas does not accept laying down its arms and handing over governance to someone else. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what the mandate of Kosovo and other countries will be,” she said.
According to her, it is highly positive that Kosovo is one of the founding members of the Board of Peace and that it has decided to participate in the International Stabilization Forces (ISF), as further analyzed by Kosovo Online.