According to its Prime Minister, Israel did invade Gaza Strip after all and intends to stay there indefinitely.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that Israel intends to maintain “overall security responsibility” in Gaza indefinitely following the conflict with Hamas. This declaration indicates Israel’s intention to continue its control over Gaza, even a month into a devastating conflict that has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of temporary pauses in the fighting to allow for aid delivery to Gaza or the release of hostages taken by Hamas during an attack in early October. However, he ruled out a general ceasefire unless all the hostages were released. The U.S. President, Joe Biden, called for a broader humanitarian pause, but no agreement was reached during multiple phone calls with Netanyahu. The conflict has inflicted a substantial toll, with Israel launching further airstrikes, causing extensive damage to Gaza, displacing around 70% of its population, and leading many to seek shelter in the southern part of the territory, which is also under attack.
