Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyhau would have rejected a proposal from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to normalize with Saudi Arabia in exchange for a “pathway” for the creation of a Palestinian state. This was reported by Nbc News, Israeli media reported, after which Netanyahu said he was “unprepared” for such an agreement on the Palestinian state. Blinken argued that Israeli leadership's unavailability on this dossier – as a US source confirmed to the Times of Israel – will result in history repeating itself. However, according to NBC, Netanyahu has agreed to curb attacks in Lebanon.
Herzog in Davos: “Two states, but with guarantees for the Israelis”
“Looking forward, we certainly need to work to find new ways of dialogue with our neighbors, but the fundamental question after October 7 is what security guarantees there will be for Israeli citizens. When we talk about two states, that first of all comes into question.” “What is security for Israeli citizens?” I saidPresident of Israel Isaac Herzog Speech at the World Economic Forum Davos. “Israel wants to live in peace and there is a strong desire for coexistence among both Israelis and Palestinians, but terrorism must be eliminated,” he added.
“I do not deny the human tragedy in Gaza. It is painful to see our neighbors suffering like this, but we have the right to defend ourselves. “What can we do when terrorists hide among civilians?” said the President of Israel. “Below Gaza there are huge cities of terror. You lift up a bed and find a rocket underneath. Terrorism must be taken out of the equation,” he added.
Furthermore, says Herzog, “there is an evil empire from Iran that is spending billions of dollars on weapons to threaten the stability of the region and the world. And a very strong coalition must counter this.”
At least 20 dead in an attack on Rafah, including several children among the victims
Arab media say Israeli bombings on a house in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip late in the evening killed at least 20 people, mostly women and children.
Arabic channel Al Jazeera released a video showing the arrival of the bodies of three children at El Najar Hospital in Rafah after the bombing. In another video from the same hours, another child is seen being treated for head injuries at the same hospital. According to the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry, the death toll in Gaza since the Israeli offensive began on October 7 is at least 24,450 dead and 61,500 injured.
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