Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Palestinian statehood

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not permit the establishment of a Palestinian state. Referring to recent developments in the West Bank as a ‘miracle’, Netanyahu asserted that the territory intended for a Palestinian state will not receive that status because Israel will not allow it.

Netanyahu further criticized the Israeli opposition, claiming that if they were to take power, they would allow the creation of a Palestinian state, withdraw from Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, and fail to take action against Iran.

In a separate development regarding security intelligence, reports indicate that during a September 2023 meeting with Shin Bet leadership, Netanyahu declined a proposal to target Hamas leaders within their offices in the Gaza Strip. At the time, the Prime Minister reportedly believed such an operation should only follow a ‘serious attack’. Additionally, reports suggest Netanyahu had previously directed officials to examine mechanisms for transferring Qatari economic aid to Hamas to maintain calm in Gaza prior to the October 7 attacks.