Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that his country would take “overall responsibility” for the Gaza Strip’s security indefinitely after the war with Hamas ended.
“Israel will, for an indefinite period, have the overall security responsibility.”
He added that lack of accountability caused outbreaks of “terror.”
When we don’t have that security responsibility, what we have is the eruption of Hamas terror on a scale that we couldn’t imagine.
Israeli forces launched Operation Swords of Iron, targeting Gaza by air, land and sea, in response to the October 7 Hamas surprise attack. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that the death toll in the enclave exceeded 10,000, including more than 4,000 children.
Netanyahu disputed the ministry’s figures on Monday, claiming the statistics included at least “several thousand” Palestinian militants, but did not provide any evidence.
The prime minister stated that he did not support appeals for a ceasefire by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and other world leaders. Netanyahu, however, agreed to “pauses” to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza or release hostages.
“There will be no ceasefire in Gaza without the release of our hostages. As far as tactical, little pauses – an hour here, an hour there – we’ve had them before.”
The Israeli leader also agreed to take responsibility for the October 7 attack, adding that his government had “clearly” failed in its obligations to protect its people.
It’s not a question and it’s got to be resolved after the war.
