“No one will want to turn this place, Gaza, into a terrorist base again,” he said. The Israeli government is currently discussing various ideas about what a post-war order could look like. “To prevent a resurgence of terror, we have to have a very strong force to ensure that it is sufficiently committed and that (the attack, note) does not happen (again),” said Herzog, who does not have executive powers. .
Herzog’s comments come at a time when international pressure on Israel is increasing due to the rising death toll in the Gaza Strip and the worsening humanitarian crisis in the area of around 2.3 million inhabitants, which is controlled by the Hamas since 2007.
US worried about possible new occupation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to eliminate Hamas, which is deeply rooted in Palestinian society and has political and military wings. But the West has expressed concern that Israel does not have a clear plan for what to do next with the Gaza Strip.
AP/Jacquelyn Martin Herzog has no executive powers but receives ongoing military instructions on war
If Netanyahu gets his way, Israel will retain “overall responsibility for the security” of the Gaza Strip indefinitely. The US government has also said a transition period may be necessary, but has warned Israel not to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. The US has also warned against establishing a different border based on the size of the area. Israel withdrew from the area in 2005.
“I have made it clear to the Israelis that I consider it a huge mistake to think that they would occupy Gaza and hold Gaza,” Biden said at a news conference near San Francisco on Wednesday (local time), according to a statement from the White House. “I don’t think this is working.” Asked how long Israel will take action against Hamas, Biden said: “I can’t say how long it will take. But I can tell you that I don’t think this will end until there is a two-state solution.”
“I am sorry for the deaths of the Palestinians”
Israel appealed again on Thursday to Palestinians to leave the densely populated northern Gaza Strip, which is the focus of military operations, and move south. Security cannot be guaranteed in the North. “I am sorry for the deaths of the Palestinians. “It breaks my heart,” Herzog said. “But I always remember that, first and foremost, to defend our people, I must guarantee their safety.”
debate
Middle East: How to break the spiral of violence?
Even Israel’s most loyal allies have expressed concern about the death toll in Gaza. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that “too many Palestinians have been killed.” French President Emmanuel Macron told the BBC that Israel must “stop the bombing”.
Herzog: Freeing hostages as top priority
Herzog told the FT that Israel wanted “first and foremost” to secure the release of the approximately 240 hostages that Hamas captured in its attack on southern Israel on October 7. The international community understands this and supports Israel’s right to defend itself, said the Israeli president. However, he told the newspaper: “How can I have the right to defend myself if I cannot eliminate Hamas’ military capabilities?” Israel therefore needs international help.
Qatar, which hosts Hamas’ political office, brokered indirect talks between Israel and the terrorist group to reach an agreement to release civilian hostages. Herzog blamed Hamas for the lack of agreement and said in the “FT” interview: “We haven’t even received any information about our hostages.”
Attack on Al-Shifa Hospital
According to the newspaper, Herzog’s interview with the “FT” took place before the Israeli operation at Al-Shifa hospital, in the Gaza Strip. Israeli military action began on Wednesday night and continues. The procedure is controversial because hospitals are particularly protected places in times of war.
Call for ceasefire
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Gaza calling for a ceasefire. The US waived its veto and abstained from voting.
Israel argues that Hamas is taking advantage of this situation and has created a command center at Al-Shifa Hospital. She was also supposed to shoot the Israeli soldiers in the building. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that Israel was using bulldozers and military vehicles. The information could not be independently verified.
UN: Gaza health system has collapsed
According to the UN, the health system in the north of the Gaza Strip has collapsed. All but one of the hospitals in northern Gaza are no longer functioning. Israel wants to protect the civilian population, Herzog again told the “FT”. The Israeli president said Israel was working to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave.
However, the military currently only allows a limited amount of aid into the Gaza Strip, leading to acute shortages of food, water and fuel. The UN passed a Security Council resolution on Wednesday calling for a further ceasefire.
Herzog also indicated that the government was discussing “a major effort” with Cyprus to deliver humanitarian aid by sea. Cypriot officials would travel to Israel on Thursday to follow up on the initiative, Herzog said. “It is true that there are areas in Gaza that are in a very bad situation. “That’s because it’s a war zone,” continued the Israeli president. “But we’re trying.”
Hamas authorities: More than 11,500 dead in Gaza
Israel is reacting with its offensive to Hamas’ unprecedented terrorist attack in southern Israel, with more than 1,200 deaths, including at least 859 civilians, according to the latest information from the Israeli police. Terrorists also kidnapped around 240 people in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Hamas administration, the number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip has risen to more than 11,500 since the start of the war. This number cannot be independently verified. Gaza’s health authority said on Wednesday it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the rising number of civilian casualties as hospitals and other health facilities collapsed in parts of the coastal strip.