Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will take control of Gaza’s “total security system” after the war.
He said Israel was considering a ‘strategic pause’ in the war in Gaza, to allow hostages to escape safely and aid supplies to enter Gaza.
However, despite the pressure from the international community, he once again rejected the offer of an unconditional ceasefire.
In an interview with a US TV channel, Netanyahu said he thinks Israel should take over overall security in the Gaza Strip for an indefinite period after the war.
Yesterday, Netanyahu said, “I think Israel should take responsibility for overall security for an indefinite period of time. Because we have seen what happens when we don’t have this responsibility.’
When asked about a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, he said a ceasefire would hamper his country’s war objective (wiping out Hamas).
“We have taken small strategic breaks of 1-2 hours before. Depending on the situation, we can allow relief, humanitarian aid to go there (to Gaza). Or if any of our hostages want to come out, a break can be taken,” he said.
“But I don’t think there is any chance of an overall ceasefire,” Netanyahu insisted.
Neither Israel nor Hamas has yet responded to calls for a ceasefire from the international community.
Israel has said a cease-fire is not possible until the prisoners held hostage by Hamas are released on October 7.
Hamas has said it will neither release hostages nor stop fighting itself as long as attacks against Gaza continue.
On October 7, 1,400 Israeli citizens were killed in Hamas attacks on Israeli territory. During this time, Hamas took more than 240 hostages, including Israelis and citizens of other countries.
Since then, Israel has continued its retaliatory and indiscriminate attacks against Gaza. Israel’s ground forces have recently joined the air force in the attack which has been going on for more than a month.
Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry said the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes since October 7 has exceeded 10,000, most of them children and women.
Washington has been calling for a temporary suspension of the war to allow aid to flow in.
But the United States, like Israel, has argued that if a full ceasefire is granted, Hamas could regroup to its advantage.
On Monday, US President Joe Biden discussed this issue with Netanyahu over the phone.
In the phone call, Biden reiterated his support for Israel and urged Israel to keep civilians safe, the White House said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Monday that Gaza was turning into a ‘children’s graveyard’. He called for an early ceasefire.
“Civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches and UN infrastructure – including shelters – are being hit by Israeli security forces’ ground operations and incessant bombardment,” he told reporters. No one is safe in Gaza.’
“At the same time, Hamas and other armed forces are using civilians as human shields and indiscriminately firing rockets at Israel,” he added.
