Statehood would be ‘huge reward’ for Oct. 7 attacks, Netanyahu says as he rejects Palestinian state
Israel will not be pressured into accepting a Palestinian state, Netanyahu said today in a statement published following a call with Biden.
“Israel categorically rejects international dictates regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians,” Netanyahu said. “Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.”
He added that statehood would be a “huge reward” in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, which led to his country’s war in Gaza.
Such an arrangement can only be reached in direct negotiations between the two sides, he added, although no talks have been held since 2014.
Biden urges Netanyahu against Rafah operation without plan for civilians
TEL AVIV — Biden reiterated his view that a military operation should not take place in Gaza’s southernmost city without “ a credible and executable plan,” in a call with Netanyahu.
Biden “reaffirmed his commitment to working tirelessly to support the release of all hostages as soon as possible, recognizing their appalling situation after 132 days in Hamas captivity,” a White House readout of the call said.
It added that they also “discussed the situation in Gaza, and the urgency of ensuring that humanitarian assistance is able to get to Palestinian civilians in desperate need.”
Biden “also raised the situation in Rafah,” the readout said, referring to the city in southern Gaza where more than 1 million people have sought shelter following Israel’s invasion of the enclave.
The readout added that Biden “reiterated his view that a military operation should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the civilians in Rafah.”
Children at risk in ICU after generators fail at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, Health Ministry says
Children in intensive care were being put at risk as electrical generators fail at the main medical facility in southern Gaza, the enclave’s Health Ministry warned yesterday.
“We fear the death of six in intensive care and three in the children’s nursery at any moment as a result of the cessation of their oxygen,” it said in a statement on Telegram. International institutions should “quickly intervene,” it added.
The Health Ministry later said that four patients in intensive care had died due to the lack of power and oxygen at the medical center.
Satellite images show a wall being constructed in Rafah, Egypt
Satellite images show extensive construction and a wall being built in Egypt along its border with Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah.
Dozens of bulldozers and earth movers can be seen clearing the land in the Sinai Desert and construction equipment is also visible.
Read More: Satellite images show extensive construction near Egypt’s border with Gaza