'Israel' to have freedom of action in Gaza after war: Netanyahu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Nov 2023 23:30
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The Israeli occupation PM says no agreement on the release of captives has come out of negotiations so far.

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in the Kirya military base in "Tel Aviv", on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on Saturday that Israeli occupation forces "will have freedom of taking action" in the Gaza Strip after the aggression ends.

"Only that will guarantee that Gaza stays demilitarized," Netanyahu said in a televised address.

Touching on the file of captives held by the Palestinian Resistance in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli premier said that no agreement on the release of captives has come out of negotiations so far.

Earlier on Saturday, families and supporters of the 240 Israeli captives rallied in "Tel Aviv" to call on the regime to act immediately on the release of captives, Israeli news agencies reported.

At least 25,000 Israeli settlers participated in the march that kicked off in "Tel Aviv." Protesters marched toward occupied al-Quds where the Israeli Prime Minister's office is located.

Thousands of family members of Israeli captives protested in "Tel Aviv," demanding that Netanyahu's government ensure their release. pic.twitter.com/cvFnIVm6K2
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 18, 2023

The families of Israeli captives have doubled down efforts to exert pressure on Netanyahu's government amid conflicting information about a potential prisoner swap deal with the Palestinian Resistance, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Israeli settlers have been criticizing Netanyahu for his incompetence in dealing with the matter and have called for his resignation.

On November 9, the military spokesperson for Al-Quds Brigades Abu Hamza announced the resistance's renunciation of their responsibilities toward Israeli captives given the brutal Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

Last week, the spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades Abu Obeida revealed that the Resistance was on the verge of releasing 12 captives of foreign nationalities but the deal was obstructed by "Israel".

A poll published by the Israeli newspaper Maariv a week ago reported that 60% of Israeli settlers support a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the return of captives.

Palestinian Authority cannot run Gaza: Netanyahu

In a related context, Netanyahu said on Saturday that the Palestinian Authority (PA), in its current state, is incapable of running the Gaza Strip.

"The Palestinian Authority, in its current state, cannot administer Gaza. Should we really leave everything up to them after all we have done, after we have fought [there]?" he said.

Elsewhere, the Israeli occupation Prime Minister criticized the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, for failing to condemn the Hamas movement over its Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, adding that the Palestinian Authority should be reformed.