JERUSALEM, Jan 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar warned on Sunday that the Middle East would remain unstable if the Palestinian militant group Hamas remained in power in the Gaza Strip.

"If (Hamas) will stay in power, the regional instability it causes might continue," Saar said at a press conference.

Speaking as a ceasefire went into effect in Gaza, Saar said Israel was committed to achieving all the goals of its war against Hamas, including dismantling its governmental and military capabilities.

If the international community wanted a permanent ceasefire, he added, then it must include the dismantling of Hamas as a military power and ruling entity in Gaza.

"Theoretically we can achieve it by an agreement, but that will be negotiated in the future during the first phase," Saar said.