Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated today, Tuesday, in a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, that the United States has requested Israel not to carry out a military operation in Rafah. He said, "But we have no other option... the American attacks target me because I prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state." He added, "If I were to talk about two states for two peoples and stop the attack in Rafah, I would have an excellent relationship with the Americans."
Netanyahu accused elements within Israel of cooperating with the Americans against the government, thus preventing entry into Rafah and defeating Hamas. He revealed that Israel is working on establishing a new border crossing in the triangular area at Kerem Shalom to replace the Rafah crossing, and that Israel will have control over it. Additionally, he stated, "Israel must also control the Philadelphia Corridor."
Netanyahu rejected proposals to bring the Palestinian Authority into Gaza, stating that "the relentless ambition of the entire Palestinian leadership is to eliminate Zionism."
