What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday evening that Israel has no plans to permanently control Gaza or force its civilian population to leave. This comes in response to demands from hard-right ministers to reestablish Israeli settlements in the region and promote the emigration of Palestinians, which Netanyahu rejected.
The PM shared a video in English on social media just before the International Court of Justice in The Hague commenced a highly sensitive case, alleging Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
“I want to make a few points absolutely clear,” Netanyahu said. “Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population. Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law,” he added.
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“Our goal is to rid Gaza of Hamas terrorists and free our hostages. Once this is achieved, Gaza can be demilitarised and deradicalised, thereby creating a possibility for a better future for Israel and Palestinians alike.”
“I want to make a few points absolutely clear:
Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population.
Israel is fighting Hamas terrorists, not the Palestinian population, and we are doing so in full compliance with international law. pic.twitter.com/amxFaMnS0P— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 10, 2024
Simultaneously, a prominent member of National Liberal Movement (Likud), a ring-wing political party in Israel, asserted on Wednesday that Netanyahu had once endorsed the notion of Palestinians voluntarily relocating from Gaza. However, this proposal was withdrawn due to resistance from the US.
“The prime minister, in a conversation with me in this space two weeks ago, expressed approval of the concept,” MK Danny Danon was quoted as saying to The Times of Israel. This statement seems to corroborate a previous report indicating that during a Likud faction meeting, the prime minister mentioned his efforts to support voluntary migration.
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“Our problem is (finding) countries that are willing to absorb Gazans, and we are working on it,” Netanyahu was reported as saying in response to a question from Danon during a weekly party gathering in the Knesset.
“A few weeks ago, during a faction meeting, I inquired about the possibility of voluntary relocation, and he responded that it’s a commendable idea, though challenging to identify countries willing to accept Gazans,” Danon affirmed. He further acknowledged that he perceived Netanyahu’s shift in stance as a result of pressure from the US.
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“In the last few days, because of the pressure coming from a few countries, he stated that it’s not the position of the government and Israel is not promoting it. (US Secretary of State Antony) Blinken said he got assurances,” the lawmaker said.
During a press conference in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Blinken told reporters that Palestinian civilians “must not be pressed to leave Gaza,” adding that Netanyahu “reaffirmed to me today that this is not the policy of Israel’s government.”
Israeli authorities have also refuted claims suggesting that Israel is in talks with foreign countries to admit thousands of migrants from Gaza. Government spokesperson Eylon Levy dismissed the accusations of Israel aiming to relocate residents from the strip as “outrageous and false.”
