Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has unveiled what he says is his vision of Gaza after what he says will be an Israeli victory over Hamas in the strip.
Speaking of the war in Gaza, he said that “following our victory, the de-militarisation and de-radicalisation of Gaza can lead to a future of prosperity, security and peace,” he told the US Congress.
“That’s my vision for Gaza,” he said.
For the broader Middle Eastern region, he proposed that Israel and the US forge a security alliance to counter the Iranian threat. “All those countries who are at peace with Israel and all those countries who will make peace with Israel should be invited to join this alliance,” Netanyahu said.
Hamas senior official Sami Abu Zuhri has told Reuters that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech addressing the US Congress shows he does not want to conclude a Gaza ceasefire deal.
“Netanyahu’s speech was full of lies and it will not succeed in covering up for the failure and defeat in the face of the resistance, [nor will it] cover up for the crimes of the war of genocide his army is committing against the people of Gaza,” Abu Zuhri said.
The group of statesmen, peace activists and human rights advocates have called on “political leaders worldwide, and especially those with influence on Israel, to enforce the historic ruling by the International Court of Justice and bring an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory.”
In a statement posted on X, the international non-governmental organisation founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007 said that leaders must urgently focus on Gaza, intensifying efforts to secure a ceasefire, release call captives and Palestinian prisoners, and ensure “humanitarian access to address catastrophic hunger and the risk of famine across the whole of Gaza.”
The signatories include Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and chair of The Elders as well as Ban Ki-moon, former UN secretary-general.
Meanwhile, the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller defended the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees at a news briefing.
“First, UNRWA is not a terrorist organisation, and we urge the Israeli government and the Knesset to halt the movement of this legislation,” Miller responded.
Earlier this week, the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, advanced several anti-UNRWA bills, one of which would effectively label the UN body, which major aid organisations and foreign governments agree is the only one capable of providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza on the scale needed, a terrorist organisation.
“We have been clear about the important role that UNRWA plays in delivering humanitarian assistance and other critical assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and throughout the region”, Miller added.
“The attacks that the Israeli government has levelled on UNRWA are incredibly unhelpful.”
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