Israel, not US, has ‘supreme security’ control over Gaza – Netanyahu

For the second time in a row, Prime Minister Netanyahu uses his weekly government meeting address to push back on claims the US is calling the shots in the Gaza Strip.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday downplayed US influence over Israel’s policies in the Gaza Strip, marking the second time in a row he has addressed the issue at a government meeting.

Speaking at the opening of the weekly meeting, Netanyahu said that Israel retained the right to strike at terrorist forces in Gaza whenever a risk to Israeli security personnel is detected.

“If there is an attempt to harm our forces, we strike those who inflict the harm and also their organization, for the purpose of protecting our forces. This is what we have determined,” Netanyahu said.

The Israeli premier emphasized that, in contrast to accusations and a growing popular perception, the US does not determine Israel’s military policy in Gaza.

“We report to our American friends; we do not ask for their permission. This must be understood because I hear things that are simply incorrect. We maintain the supreme security responsibility, and we will not relinquish it.”

Last Sunday, Netanyahu pushed back against what he called “ridiculous claims” that the US “controls me and dictates Israel’s security policy.”

Netanyahu added that despite the ceasefire, the IDF is continuing to operate in Gaza to eliminate Hamas forces that failed to evacuate to the west side of the Yellow Line, remaining in IDF-controlled territory in violation of the Gaza peace plan.

“There are still Hamas pockets in the areas under our control in Gaza, and we are systematically eliminating them. There are two in Rafah and in Khan Yunis, and they will be eliminated.”

Turning to efforts by the US to move forward with the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza deal, Netanyahu said that should Hamas refuse to surrender its weapons, as mandated in the plan, Israel would disarm the group by force.

“Disarming Hamas, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip is the principle we uphold. This is the principle agreed upon between me and President Trump. This is how we operate, according to a clear plan. Of course, if this is not done in the first way, then it will be done in the second way, and everyone knows what the second way is and who will also carry it out.”