No Israeli pledge to accept Palestine State in Saudi talks: Dermer
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"Israel's" strategic affairs minister makes a rare speech, discussing postwar Gaza, Lebanon, and prospects of a future Palestinian State.
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Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer addresses the Knesset on January 22, 2025. (AP)
"Israel" has not made any commitments regarding its acceptance of the establishment of a Palestinian State in its talks on potential normalization with Saudi Arabia, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer told Knesset lawmakers on Wednesday.
“There is no promise regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state, at all,” the top Netanyahu confidant said, according to Israeli media.
Dermer, who rarely gives public statements, spoke to the Knesset today for the first time since he became a minister in Netanyahu's cabinet in December 2022.
Read more: 'Israel' normalization off table without Palestinian state: Saudi FM
He also discussed Gaza, saying the Israeli government was working on a plan for postwar governance in the Strip, saying that "Israel" must "engage both the United States and the powers in the region" so that the management of Gaza would proceed "according to the framework set by the prime minister," adding "We will talk less and do more."
As for Lebanon, Dermer threatened that "Israel" has "the ability to enforce any violation and will do what is necessary to maintain the security of the residents of the north." It is noteworthy that "Israel" has violated the ceasefire in Lebanon daily, conducting drone flights over Lebanon, bombing areas in the South, and killing and kidnapping civilians.
'Israel' continues to violate ceasefire in Lebanon, kidnaps farmers
Just two days ago on Monday, "Israel" continued its violations of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, with its forces abducting three farmers working in fields between al-Wazzani and Ain Arab, near the border with occupied Palestine.
A Lebanese army unit comprising seven armored vehicles retreated from its planned entry into the town of Tallousa after encountering a dirt mound and discovering that occupation forces had advanced into the town on Monday.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon reported that a Merkava tank blocked the Wadi al-Saluqi road leading to Tallousa and Bani Hayyan and raised the earthen barrier.
The occupation also targeted the al-Sadana area in the Shebaa Heights with artillery shelling, as our correspondent reported.
This development coincided with the Lebanese army's ongoing deployment in the towns of Ain Ebel, Debel, and Rmeish in the western sector of southern Lebanon, as well as the towns of Bint Jbeil and Ainatha in the central sector, following the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces.
In a statement, the Army said this operation was being conducted in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Quintet Committee supervising the ceasefire agreement mechanism.
