Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday evening (November 6) that after the siege of the extremist group Hamas, Israel will assume "comprehensive security responsibility" for the Gaza Strip for an "indefinite period", and expressed willingness to implement a "small-scale ceasefire" during the current period of war to facilitate the release of hostages.
Netanyahu made this comment in an interview with ABC News. This is the clearest statement made by Israel so far regarding its post war security responsibility in Gaza. Approximately 2.3 million Palestinians reside in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu has ruled out the possibility of any comprehensive ceasefire before Hamas releases all hostages, but is open to implementing a "tactical small-scale ceasefire". Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7th this year, killing approximately 1400 civilians, including not only Israeli civilians but also civilians from many countries around the world who participated in music festivals. Hamas also kidnapped more than 240 hostages.
The White House said that US President Biden called Netanyahu earlier Monday to demand a humanitarian ceasefire from Israel, but the two sides did not reach an agreement.
However, Netanyahu expressed concern for the "small-scale ceasefire" proposed by Israel's most important ally, the United States. Netanyahu said that if conditions permit, Israel can implement a "small-scale ceasefire" for humanitarian reasons.
As for the tactical ceasefire, stop here for an hour and there for an hour. We have done this before. I think we will make arrangements as appropriate to allow goods and humanitarian supplies to be transported in and our hostages to leave, "Netanyahu told ABC News on Monday.
The Associated Press quoted the health authorities controlled by Hamas in Gaza as saying that so far, the number of Palestinian deaths caused by the Israeli Israeli Israeli conflict has exceeded 10000, including over 4100 children and over 2640 women. However, these numbers cannot be independently confirmed.
Both Israel and Hamas have rejected increasing calls for a ceasefire. Israel insists that Hamas must first release the hostages. Hamas stated that as long as the Gaza area is at war, they will not release hostages and will not stop fighting.
United Nations Secretary General Guterres stated that "the ground operations and ongoing bombing by the Israeli Defense Forces towards Gaza have caused harm and damage to civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and United Nations facilities, including shelters. No one is safe
At the same time, Hamas and other armed elements continue to launch indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israel using civilians as shields, "Reuters quoted Guterres as saying
International organizations have stated that there are too many injured patients in hospitals there who are not being treated, and food and drinking water are about to run out. Some of the aid supplies brought in are just a drop in the bucket.
The heads of several United Nations agencies issued a statement on Monday, saying, "We need to immediately implement a humanitarian ceasefire. It has been 30 days, enough, and we must cease fire now
The Israeli military stated on Tuesday that it has taken control of a military stronghold of Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli army discovered anti tank missiles, missile launchers, weapons and other military supplies there.