Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the military would have to retain open-ended security control over the Gaza Strip long after the war against Hamas ends. The remarks came as Israel’s military said its troops had entered Gaza’s second-largest city in its its pursuit to wipe out the territory’s Hamas rulers. The war has already killed more than 15,000 Palestinians and displaced over three-fourths of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, who are running out of safe places to go.
Quick Read
- Netanyahu on Long-term Security Control: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the military would need to maintain security control over the Gaza Strip indefinitely, even after the conflict with Hamas concludes.
- Israeli Military Advances in Gaza: The Israeli military has entered Gaza’s second-largest city as part of its efforts to target Hamas rulers. This military action is part of a broader conflict that has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and displacement.
- Casualty and Displacement Figures: More than 15,000 Palestinians have been killed, and over three-fourths of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced. The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza reported over 15,890 deaths and more than 41,000 injuries since October 7, with a majority being women and children.
- Israel’s Position on Civilian Casualties: Israel states that its military actions target Hamas operatives and blames civilian casualties on militants operating in residential areas.
- International Efforts for a Truce: The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are working towards a longer cease-fire. Hamas demands that discussions on releasing hostages be linked to a permanent cease-fire agreement.
- Netanyahu and Biden on Rape Allegations: Netanyahu accused international human rights groups of overlooking alleged rapes committed by Hamas militants during their October 7 attacks. President Joe Biden, speaking at a fundraiser, emphasized the need for global condemnation of these acts and noted the impact of Hamas’ actions on the temporary truce.
- Evidence and Investigation of Rape Allegations: Witnesses and medical experts report rapes and other attacks by Hamas militants, but the full extent of the sexual violence is unclear due to limited forensic evidence and victim testimonies.
- Humanitarian Aid in Gaza: The United Nations reports that limited humanitarian aid is reaching Gaza, predominantly through the Rafah region in southern Gaza. There has been a significant decrease in the amount of aid and fuel compared to the volume delivered during the recent humanitarian pause.
- Challenges in Gaza: Gaza faces critical challenges, including overcapacity in shelters, a strained health system, lack of clean drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor nutrition. Additionally, all telecom services in Gaza have shut down due to cuts in the main fiber routes.
The Associated Press has the story:
Netanyahu: Israel must retain control of security in Gaza after the war
Newslooks- JERUSALEM (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the military would have to retain open-ended security control over the Gaza Strip long after the war against Hamas ends.
The remarks came as Israel’s military said its troops had entered Gaza’s second-largest city in its its pursuit to wipe out the territory’s Hamas rulers. The war has already killed more than 15,000 Palestinians and displaced over three-fourths of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, who are running out of safe places to go.
The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll in the territory since Oct. 7 has surpassed 15,890, with more than 41,000 wounded. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths, but said 70% of the dead were women and children. Israel says it targets Hamas operatives and blames civilian casualties on the militants, accusing them of operating in residential neighborhoods.
The United States, Qatar and Egypt, which mediated an earlier cease-fire, say they are working on a longer truce. Hamas said talks on releasing more of the scores of hostages seized by militants on Oct. 7 must be tied to a permanent cease-fire.
NETANYAHU, BIDEN SPEAK OUT ABOUT RAPE ALLEGATIONS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused international human rights groups of turning a blind eye to rapes that Israel says was committed by Hamas militants during their Oct. 7 cross-border rampage.
Witnesses and medical experts have said that Hamas militants committed a series of rapes and other attacks before killing the victims in the Oct. 7 attack, though the extent of the sexual violence remains unknown.
Experts have been piecing together evidence in recent weeks in a case that is complicated because there are no known victims to testify and limited forensic evidence.
Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Netanyahu accused the international community of playing down the attacks and even ignoring them. He said he expects “all civilized leaders, governments, nations to speak up against this atrocity.”
Speaking at a campaign fundraiser in Boston, U.S. President Joe Biden called on the world to condemn the acts by Hamas “without equivocation” and “without exception.”
He also stressed that “Hamas’ refusal to release the remaining young women” is what ended a temporary truce and hostage agreement that the U.S. helped broker.
LIMITED HUMANITARIAN AID IS GOING TO GAZA
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations says limited humanitarian aid is being delivered only to the Rafah region in southern Gaza because of intense hostilities. It also says that all telecom services have shut down due to cuts in the main fiber routes.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that only 100 aid trucks with humanitarian supplies and 69,000 liters of fuel entered Gaza from Egypt on Monday, about the same amount as Sunday.
That is well below the daily average of 170 trucks and 110,000 liters of fuel that entered Gaza during the humanitarian pause from Nov. 24-30, he said.
Dujarric quoted Lynn Hastings, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in the Palestinian territories, saying “shelters have no capacity, the health system is on its knees, and there is a lack of clean drinking water, no proper sanitation and poor nutrition.”
He reiterated that there are no safe places in Gaza and that “those places that fly the U.N. flag are not safe either.”
Dujarric said the main telecommunication provider in Gaza announced the shutdown of all telecom services Monday night.
