Netanyahu focused on 'post-war Gaza', seeks 'security responsibility'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Nov 2023 08:42
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The Israeli Prime Minister is so focused on spilling blood that he is even turning down calls for support by his main supporters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on March 10, 2023 in Rome (AFP)

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that "Israel" intends to assume "overall security" of Gaza after the aggression.

Ignoring appeals for a ceasefire, Netanyahu affirmed that the aggression on Gaza would continue without pause, aiming "to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas."

One month into the aggression, the number of Palestinians martyred in Gaza has exceeded 10,000, with over 4,000 of them being children.

As criticism of "Israel's" actions in the war escalates on the international stage, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern that Gaza was becoming a "graveyard for children."

More than 1.5 million residents in densely populated Gaza have been compelled to seek refuge in other areas of the territory as they search for safety amid the ongoing indiscriminate Israeli bombardment. They are facing critical shortages of electricity, clean water, and fuel, amid a severe lack of medical supplies and life-saving treatments.

However, Netanyahu informed ABC News that the war would persist until "Israel" had regained what he described as "overall security" control over Gaza.

"Israel will, for an indefinite period, will have the overall security responsibility," he said.

"When we don't have that security responsibility, what we have is the eruption of Hamas terror on a scale that we couldn't imagine," he added.

It is worth noting that Netanyahu's remarks followed a statement from the White House, which mentioned that he had talked with US President Joe Biden on Monday about potential "tactical pauses" in the war.

However, no official agreements were made, and the discussion did not touch upon the prospect of a ceasefire. While the US, a crucial Israeli ally, is pushing for a "pause" in the hostilities, various nations and UN organizations have consistently urged for an immediate ceasefire.

"There will be no ceasefire -- general ceasefire -- in Gaza, without the release of our hostages," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu in a pickle

This is happening as internal divisions within the Israeli government have been ongoing for nearly a year, marked by weekly protests held on Saturdays, aiming to condemn Netanyahu's administration and call for his removal. These protests emerged after Netanyahu formed a coalition with far-right parties to regain his position as prime minister, following his earlier removal from office two years prior.

The animosity toward Netanyahu and his administration has mobilized hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers, resulting in thousands refusing military service in protest. Unlike the usual trend in many nations, where people tend to rally behind their leadership during times of war or "national" crises, Israeli sentiment has shifted against Netanyahu. In contrast, leaders like George Bush saw a surge in popularity following the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent war, although they were unrelated to the attacks.

Netanyahu is facing mounting public discontent, evident in protests against his government's actions, particularly regarding the issue of Israeli captives and the settlers killed by the IOF. "Israel" is so deeply divided that some Likud supporters suggested that Netanyahu was not informed about the October 7 operation, as certain anti-Netanyahu military officials believed it would harm his image and wanted him removed from power.