Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
International

Israel doesn’t want to rule Gaza after war, says Netanyahu’s advisor

Darpan News Desk IANS, 21 Nov, 2023 12:53 PM
  • Israel doesn’t want to rule Gaza after war, says Netanyahu’s advisor

New Delhi, Nov 21 (IANS) Israel is not looking to occupy Gaza after its ongoing war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas ends, an Israeli government official said on Tuesday.

“We don’t want to occupy Gaza. We don’t want to rule over Gaza,” Mark Regev, a senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told an online media briefing on the war.

“We insist, however, that Gaza must be demilitarised.”

The war started after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people in massacres across towns and villages in the country’s south, and firing rockets into Israel.

More than 12,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes and the siege of the coastal enclave, according to the media in the Middle East, citing the Hamas-run health ministry.

Regev said a Palestinian government could be formed in the future after Hamas is removed from the enclave.

“Hamas has brought bloodshed and impoverishment to the people of Gaza.”

Israel’s international partners will want to rebuild Gaza, Regev said, adding that Arab countries will be part of the rebuilding process.

“Hamas has no friends in the Arab world other than Qatar,” he said of the country where Hamas’ leadership reportedly lives.

Israel’s victory would be a win for those seeking peace in the region, Regev added.

Even as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensify their operations in Gaza after 46 days of the war, the Israeli government has not stated clearly its plan for the enclave once the fighting stops.

While the IDF pursues its goal of destroying Hamas infrastructure in Gaza, as it describes the military operations, Israel is engaged in negotiations to free some 238 hostages, including children and the elderly, from Hamas captivity.

And, if the backroom talks, which also involve Qatar and the United States, lead to an agreement on the release of hostages, then Israel would likely agree to a short pause.

“We will agree to a temporary ceasefire if our hostages are released,” Regev said.

He said international humanitarian organisations such as the Red Cross were not allowed by Hamas to visit the hostages to assess their wellbeing.

When asked if Israel has proof of life of the hostages, Regev said that “no information on their condition” is available but that Israel has gathered its own intelligence.

The hostages should be released unconditionally, he said.

So far, there is no indication that Israel would consider any deal whereby the hostages are swapped for Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported earlier that the families of some of the hostages have urged Netanyahu to agree to such an exchange.

MORE International ARTICLES

16 kids killed in explosions, claims Ukrainian envoy to India

16 kids killed in explosions, claims Ukrainian envoy to India
While requesting foreign partners to exert pressure on the Russian President to stop the war, Polikha said that air space of Europe was closed for the Russian airplanes. The Russian economy is going down every day. Russia is having absolutely unprecedented casualties. Approximately 5,300 Russian soldiers have lost their lives in the ongoing tussle, he claimed.

16 kids killed in explosions, claims Ukrainian envoy to India

21 students stranded at Chernivtsi, narrate ordeal

21 students stranded at Chernivtsi, narrate ordeal
Of the 21 students, 11 are girls and 10 boys who are stranded at Chernivtsi. Girl students were also harassed and beaten by Ukrainian Police guards.

21 students stranded at Chernivtsi, narrate ordeal

Indian Mission in Slovakia moves officials near Ukraine border

Indian Mission in Slovakia moves officials near Ukraine border
India is working out evacuation plans for Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine through Romania, Hungary and Poland. The Foreign Secretary also stated that flight options will available from Dubai and Istanbul and the Indian Embassy continues to be operational in Ukraine.

Indian Mission in Slovakia moves officials near Ukraine border

46 MP students stranded in Ukraine safe, but exact numbers not known

46 MP students stranded in Ukraine safe, but exact numbers not known
The Madhya Pradesh government said on Friday that 46 students from the state who registered with the Chief Minister's helpline are safe in Ukraine. However, it is not known exactly how many students from the state are stranded in the war-hit country.

46 MP students stranded in Ukraine safe, but exact numbers not known

Russia closes airspace on borders with Ukraine, Belarus

Russia closes airspace on borders with Ukraine, Belarus
The announcement came shortly after President Vladimir Putin authorised a "special military operation" in the conflict-hit Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Flights to Kiev, Dnepr, Lvov and Odessa airports "are restricted due to potential hazard for civil aviation

Russia closes airspace on borders with Ukraine, Belarus

Thousands of Ukrainians leaving the country

Thousands of Ukrainians leaving the country
The United Nations refugee agency said on Thursday that the situation was quickly deteriorating after Russia's invasion. It appealed to neighbouring countries to keep their borders open to people seeking a safe haven.

Thousands of Ukrainians leaving the country