Netanyahu Affirms Israel's Right to Resume Hostilities Amid Ceasefire in Gaza
Israeli PM asserts potential for renewed combat; Ben Gvir resigns over truce agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Saturday that Israel retains the right to renew hostilities in Gaza with U.S. support if the second phase of the ceasefire proves ineffective.
This announcement came ahead of the ceasefire agreement's activation, negotiated in collaboration with the outgoing Trump administration and the incoming Biden administration.
Netanyahu described the initial phase of the accord as a provisional truce and emphasized that both Trump and Biden endorse Israel's right to resume combat if necessary.
In earlier remarks, Netanyahu underscored that Israel would not advance with the ceasefire agreement without receiving the names of 33 hostages Hamas has agreed to release in the initial stage.
He emphasized Israel's intolerance for any breach of the agreement and placed the onus solely on Hamas for compliance.
According to sources quoted by the Haaretz newspaper, delays in delivering the hostage list do not necessarily imply a collapse of the ceasefire, with expectations that the agreement will proceed as planned.
In military developments, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi assessed readiness within both the Southern Command and Central Command in anticipation of the truce's commencement.
Halevi's briefings underscored enhancing counter-terrorism operations and strengthening security on main arteries, particularly in preparation for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire agreement, which was facilitated by Egyptian, Qatari, and U.S. mediators, was confirmed on Wednesday following protracted negotiations.
However, its announcement prompted Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to resign from Netanyahu's government in protest.
Ben Gvir, head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, along with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, expressed discontent with the accord.
Smotrich reiterated Netanyahu's commitment to maintaining Israeli dominance over Gaza gradually.
Ben Gvir vocalized his intent to resign from the Knesset if the agreement is ratified, arguing that it undermines the achievements of military operations in Gaza to date.
This announcement came ahead of the ceasefire agreement's activation, negotiated in collaboration with the outgoing Trump administration and the incoming Biden administration.
Netanyahu described the initial phase of the accord as a provisional truce and emphasized that both Trump and Biden endorse Israel's right to resume combat if necessary.
In earlier remarks, Netanyahu underscored that Israel would not advance with the ceasefire agreement without receiving the names of 33 hostages Hamas has agreed to release in the initial stage.
He emphasized Israel's intolerance for any breach of the agreement and placed the onus solely on Hamas for compliance.
According to sources quoted by the Haaretz newspaper, delays in delivering the hostage list do not necessarily imply a collapse of the ceasefire, with expectations that the agreement will proceed as planned.
In military developments, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi assessed readiness within both the Southern Command and Central Command in anticipation of the truce's commencement.
Halevi's briefings underscored enhancing counter-terrorism operations and strengthening security on main arteries, particularly in preparation for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire agreement, which was facilitated by Egyptian, Qatari, and U.S. mediators, was confirmed on Wednesday following protracted negotiations.
However, its announcement prompted Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to resign from Netanyahu's government in protest.
Ben Gvir, head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, along with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, expressed discontent with the accord.
Smotrich reiterated Netanyahu's commitment to maintaining Israeli dominance over Gaza gradually.
Ben Gvir vocalized his intent to resign from the Knesset if the agreement is ratified, arguing that it undermines the achievements of military operations in Gaza to date.
