Boris Johnson says Israel has a ‘duty’ to eliminate Hamas in latest Mail column – but warns that the terrorists WANT an ‘endless cycle of revenge and retaliation’

Boris Johnson lays out Israel’s ‘duty’ to eradicate the threat from Hamas in his new Mail column.

The former Prime Minister wholeheartedly endorses the country’s right to respond to horrific terrorist attacks where civilians were beheaded and hostages taken.

But he also warns of the need to maintain the ‘extraordinary’ reconciliation process rumored to have taken place behind the scenes with countries such as Saudi Arabia.

Mr Johnson also urged Israel to bear in mind that Hamas wants to provoke an “endless cycle of revenge and violence”.

Boris Johnson is writing weekly for the Daily Mail and MailOnline. Photo: MARK HARRISON

An Israeli soldier surveys the rubble at Kibbutz Beeri, where 270 revelers were killed by militants during the Supernova music festival on October 7.

Israel has warned civilians to leave Gaza as it prepares a military campaign – despite UN concerns that it is not possible to evacuate everyone in time.

In a video broadcasting his column – which will be in the Daily Mail tomorrow and on MailOnline this evening – Johnson said: “After last week’s barbaric attacks, Israel has a right – a duty – to eliminate all those who are responsible in Hamas and make sure that nothing like this can happen again.

“The question is how Israel can do this while protecting the extraordinary reconciliation process that is taking place between Israel and some Arab states.

“And how can Israel do that without creating an endless cycle of retaliation and revenge, which is exactly what Hamas wants.”