Tel Aviv, Sept 2. (dpa/GNA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has visited an Israeli military base in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that Israel would retain control of around 60% of the territory.
“We are not withdrawing,” he stated in a video message recorded on site on Wednesday, and released by his office.
The US-led peace plan provides for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area, once the Palestinian militant organization Hamas has been disarmed.
The Israeli army has recently expanded its control over the coastal strip from 53% to around 60%. Netanyahu went on to say that the Israeli military would maintain this line. He left open whether this would also apply, should Hamas hand over its weapons.
In August, he had held out the prospect of an Israeli withdrawal in that event. Netanyahu also said, Israel would do everything in its power to achieve its goal: the disarmament of Hamas.
However, Israel’s prime minister rejects a recently published plan by the Board of Peace established by Trump, which provides for the handover of Hamas’ weapons and an end to all hostilities. Under the plan, the weapons handed over by Hamas are to be stored and remain under Palestinian control.
Israel, on the other hand, is demanding the complete removal of weapons from the coastal strip. The government fears that they could otherwise fall back into the hands of Hamas.
This is not the first time Netanyahu has visited the Israeli-controlled part of the Gaza Strip. A new parliament is to be elected in Israel on October 27. According to polls, it could prove difficult for both Netanyahu’s camp and the opposition to secure a majority.
Commenting on the arrest on Tuesday in Gaza City, of Hamas’ security chief, the Israeli prime minister said Israel is likely to be able to learn a great deal from him during questioning.
GNA