Netanyahu Claims: We Have No Intention of Evacuating Gaza / Between the Sea and the River, There Will Be Only One Entity

Kokcha News Agency – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel has no intention of evacuating the Gaza Strip and is solely focused on removing Hamas from power. Netanyahu said that if the U.S. were to invest in Gaza, it would be a positive step, and the region could have a different future.

Netanyahu thanked the U.S. for its military and weapons assistance, saying that the security information exchange between Washington and Tel Aviv is invaluable. He also claimed that Israel is nearing the final stage of the war in Gaza, which is to remove Hamas and resistance groups from the Strip.

Following backlash over his remarks about the “Greater Israel” vision, Netanyahu said, “Between the sea and the river, there will be one political entity, and that will be Israel, not Palestine.” He also mentioned that there are multiple ideas regarding Gaza, and if the U.S. were to step in and manage the region, he would agree to it.

Netanyahu reiterated that Israel has no intention of displacing Gaza’s residents and is solely focused on removing Hamas from power, adding that there will be no Palestinian state in the West Bank.

The Israeli Prime Minister also revealed that former U.S. President Joe Biden had asked him not to enter Gaza, but he responded by saying that Israel is engaged in a 3,500-year-old war and will do whatever is necessary.

Israeli Foreign Minister’s Controversial Statements

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, criticized international efforts to recognize a Palestinian state, warning that it would be seen as a victory for Hamas. Sa’ar also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for his stance on Israel, saying that Israel is currently facing political isolation more than military challenges.

Sa’ar accused European countries of supporting Palestine and described the decision by the UK, France, Canada, and Australia to recognize Palestine as an existential threat to Israel.

While acknowledging the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Israeli Foreign Minister claimed that aid to Gaza has significantly increased, leading to a sharp drop in the prices of basic necessities. He also baselessly accused the United Nations of politicizing reports of famine and hunger in Gaza, indirectly blaming Hamas for the crisis.

Sa’ar admitted that Israel is paying a heavy diplomatic price for the war in Gaza and said that any ceasefire agreement must ensure the disarmament of Hamas and prevent another October 7th.

International Reactions and Israel’s Diplomatic Crisis

As the war in Gaza continues and the death toll rises, international pressure on Israel is mounting. Many countries, including European states, have described the current situation in Gaza as an unprecedented crisis, which could plunge Israel into a deep legitimacy and diplomatic isolation crisis.

More than 12 countries, including the UK, France, Canada, and Australia, have announced that they will take steps to recognize a Palestinian state in upcoming United Nations meetings.

Israeli officials are increasingly concerned about the expansion of international sanctions and are making extensive efforts to arrange a visit by former U.S. President Donald Trump to Israel.