A day after Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the ‘intense phase’ of the Gaza war is winding down, the Israeli military continued bombing Hamas targets on Monday. This comes as the Palestinian militant group renewed its call for a permanent end to the fighting. In a TV interview on Sunday evening, Netanyahu described the current state of the conflict and hinted at a possible strategic shift in military operations.
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Netanyahu’s comments came as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant traveled to Washington for what he described as ‘critical’ talks with key U.S. officials. Gallant met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza and the broader regional implications. The right-wing premier emphasized that, while the intense phase of the fighting against Hamas is about to conclude, this does not signify the end of the war. Netanyahu underscored that the main objectives include the return of kidnapped individuals and the dismantling of the Hamas regime in Gaza.
The fighting in the far-southern city of Rafah, near Egypt, is particularly intense as it is the last part of Gaza to face a full ground invasion. Netanyahu stressed that once the immediate operations in Rafah are over, Israel plans to ‘redeploy some forces to the north,’ particularly on the border with Lebanon. This move is primarily for defensive purposes as tensions with Hezbollah have escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of a broader conflict. Netanyahu also mentioned plans to facilitate the return of displaced citizens to their northern border communities, through either diplomatic channels or other means.
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Reflecting on post-war scenarios in Gaza, Netanyahu mentioned that Israel intends to maintain ‘military control in the foreseeable future.’ However, he also expressed a desire to establish a civilian administration, possibly in collaboration with local Palestinians and regional allies. Hamas has strongly criticized these remarks, accusing Netanyahu of rejecting recent UN Security Council resolutions and proposals from U.S. President Joe Biden, which call for a truce and the release of hostages.
On Monday, Israeli forces continued to target various sites across the besieged Gaza Strip. Witnesses reported bombings in the Nuseirat and Rafah areas, while gun battles erupted in Zeitun. The Israeli military stated that troops in Rafah had ‘eliminated a number of armed terrorists,’ dismantled tunnel shafts, and discovered large amounts of weapons. In Gaza City, airstrikes hit a facility of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), resulting in at least five fatalities. The Israeli military claimed that the strikes targeted militants operating from buildings that formerly served as UNRWA headquarters.
Netanyahu’s government has faced growing international criticism over the escalating civilian death toll and the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. There have been increased tensions between Netanyahu and President Biden, especially regarding the supply of arms and ammunition. Netanyahu accused the U.S., Israel’s largest military supplier, of slowing or freezing deliveries—a claim U.S. officials have denied.
The conflict erupted following a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians. Hamas militants also took hostages, 116 of whom remain in Gaza, although the Israeli military claims 41 of them are dead. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has so far claimed the lives of 37,598 people, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The Israeli siege has deprived Gaza’s 2.4 million residents of essential supplies, driving many to the brink of starvation, with humanitarian aid only occasionally alleviating the suffering.
The European Union has expressed grave concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that ‘the delivery of any meaningful humanitarian assistance inside Gaza has become almost impossible and the very fabric of civil society is unraveling.’ Meanwhile, Israeli citizens have been protesting against Netanyahu and his government, demanding more efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
In his interview, Netanyahu reaffirmed his stance against making concessions that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. He warned that ending his rule could result in a left-wing government that might pursue such a path, which he described as a threat to Israel’s existence.
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