Israeli Prime Minister’s Statement on Gaza ConflictIsraeli Prime Minister’s Statement on Gaza Conflict Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the intense phase of fighting in Rafah, southern Gaza, is nearing its end, but emphasized that the conflict is far from over. He asserted that the military operations will continue until Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza, is completely removed from power. Netanyahu further hinted at the potential redeployment of Israeli troops to the Lebanese border, where clashes with Hezbollah are intensifying. He firmly rejected the proposal of handing over Gaza to the Palestinian Authority, believing that a civilian administration and military demilitarization are necessary steps instead. Meanwhile, reports from Rafah suggest continued clashes and Israeli airstrikes targeting Gaza City, reportedly killing the emergency services director of Hamas’ Health Ministry. An aid distribution center was also struck, with the IDF claiming it was being used by Hamas. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is currently in Washington to discuss the Gaza conflict and escalating tensions with Hezbollah, supported by Iran. The Israeli military’s offensive against Hamas began in response to an attack on southern Israel in October, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, over 37,551 people have perished in Gaza since the conflict erupted.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the “intense phase” of fighting in Rafah in southern Gaza is almost over, but this does not mean the war is coming to an end.
He said the war would continue until Hamas was completely driven from power.
He added that the Israeli army could soon redeploy troops to the border with Lebanon, where the firefight with Hezbollah is escalating.
Mr Netanyahu also again rejected the idea that the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority should govern Gaza instead of Hamas.
“Ultimately you will need to do two things: you will need the continued military demilitarization by the Israeli army and you will need to establish a civilian administration. I hope that with the support and management of certain countries in the region, I think this is the right way to move forward,” he said in an Israeli television interview.
“I’ll tell you what I’m not ready for, I’m not ready to establish a Palestinian state there, I’m not ready to hand it over to the Palestinian Authority. I’m not ready to do that. ”
Residents of Rafah said there had been more clashes in the city, while Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City reportedly killed the emergency services director of the Hamas-led Health Ministry.
An aid distribution center was also hit: the IDF said it was used by Hamas.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant begins a visit to Washington to discuss the war in Gaza and escalating tensions with Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the Palestinian armed group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, which killed around 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and took 251 others hostage.
More than 37,551 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The figures do not distinguish between civilians and fighters, but at the end of April there were reportedly 14,680 children, women and the elderly among the dead.
