Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said on Tuesday that Israel will have security control over the Gaza Strip with complete freedom of action after the defeat of Hamas.
For his part, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: “We will continue to work to strengthen our grip throughout Israel and will not allow the Arabs to separate Gush Etzion from Jerusalem,” and added, “We will not allow the Arabs to establish a Palestinian state that would endanger our existence.”
Regarding developments in the prisoner exchange negotiations, Israeli Channel 14 reported that there is optimism in Israel that a deal will be reached before the administration changes in the United States.
A senior Israeli official said on Monday that there are still gaps in the negotiations regarding the deal to release detainees and the ceasefire in Gaza, suggesting that they could be overcome, according to an Axios correspondent.
Reporter Barak Ravid wrote on his personal account on the “X” platform, quoting the official: “An Israeli delegation went to Qatar, on Monday, to hold talks regarding ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip.”
On the ground, about 20 people were killed in an Israeli air strike that targeted an old school in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources reported yesterday, Monday.
The Palestinian News and Information Agency, Wafa, reported that children were among the victims.
On the other hand, the Israeli army stated that the attack that occurred on Sunday evening targeted “a command and control center belonging to the Hamas movement.” They said that these individuals were working from the old school building in the humanitarian zone in Khan Yunis.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been fighting against the Palestinian Hamas movement in Gaza, with Palestinian sources reporting on Sunday that about 45,000 Palestinians have been killed so far.
On Monday, the Israeli army announced that “two of its soldiers were killed in battles south of Gaza, and the two dead Israeli soldiers were a reserve major and a soldier, according to the army statement.”
Last updated: December 17, 2024 – 13:24
Suggest a correction