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Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Munich Security Conference
Photo: Anna Szilagyi / EPA
Israeli President Isaac Herzog believes that a peace solution with the Palestinians is only realistic as part of a comprehensive agreement with the other states in the region - and with guaranteed security for Israel. At the moment, a Palestinian state seems like a reward for the war that Hamas started against Israel, Herzog said at the Munich Security Conference.
In order to contain Iran's influence, his country must "move towards Israel's involvement in the region - with a major agreement with our regional partners, including Saudi Arabia." Within this framework, one must also “find the right formula for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.”
Military operation in Khan Yunis may end soon
An Israeli expert believes that the military operation in Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip will soon be completed. "I think it's a matter of days," Kobi Michael from the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) told the broadcaster i24news. "Khan Yunis will then be militarily controlled by the Israeli army," he said. The city is the most important base of the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. After that, Rafah remained on the border with Egypt and parts of refugee camps in the central section of the Gaza Strip, Michael said.
However, a new agreement with Hamas to release more hostages in return for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners could delay an operation in Rafah, the expert said. Israel's plans to expand operations in the crowded city were met with strong international criticism and clear warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Palestinians report 40 deaths, Israel claims to have killed 10 terrorists
Palestinian medics reported on Saturday that around 40 people were killed and numerous injured in Israeli air strikes in Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat in the central section of the coastal strip. Many are still buried. Children are also among the injured.
The Israeli army said that "a number of operational command and control centers in which Hamas terrorists were operating" had been attacked. A military statement said: "Israeli troops have killed more than ten terrorists in the central part of the Gaza Strip over the past day."
Netanyahu wants to stick to the offensive on Rafah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to expand the military offensive on Rafah despite international warnings. He emphasized that they would not bow to international pressure on the issue. "Anyone who wants to prevent us from operating in Rafah will ultimately tell us 'lose the war.'" He won't allow that. Before the start of an offensive, the Israeli side will enable civilians in the combat areas to move to safe areas.
Hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people have sought protection in Rafah on the border with Egypt. The plans to expand Israeli operations in the overcrowded city have met with great international criticism. The USA, as Israel's most important ally, also warns against this. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is calling for long-term safe places to be set up for the people there and has repeatedly warned of a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
Netanyahu confirmed that they would “settle the score” with the Hamas leadership. This is only a matter of time. There will be no foreign regulations imposed on the question of a future peace settlement with the Palestinians. “A settlement can only be achieved through direct negotiations between both sides without preconditions,” emphasized Netanyahu. He rejects a possible recognition of a Palestinian state by the USA and other partners without Israeli consent.
Numerous arrests during hospital operations
The Israeli army has so far arrested around 100 people during its operation at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. The military said they were “people suspected of being involved in terrorist activities.” According to the Hamas health authority, many of those arrested are medical staff.
According to the health authority, five patients in the intensive care unit have died due to a power outage during the Israeli operation. Her oxygen supply was interrupted.
The army, however, said it had not attacked the power supply. The unit working there had strict instructions to ensure the continued functioning of the hospital. That's why she replaced a defective generator with a replacement device from Israel.
Rocket alarm in Israeli coastal town
Another rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip at the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon on Saturday. The Israeli army said the missile was intercepted by missile defense. "Israeli troops identified the terrorist who was responsible for the attack," the military said. He was then deliberately killed in an air strike in the north of the Gaza Strip.
Since the Gaza war began on October 7, extremist Palestinians in the coastal strip have fired more than 14,500 rockets into Israeli territory, according to Israeli figures.
Thousands of Israelis demonstrate against government policies
Thousands of Israelis protested in various cities on Saturday against the policies of Netanyahu's right-wing religious government. At what the police said was an unauthorized large-scale rally in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv, demonstrators blocked a street in both directions and lit flares. There were also protests near Netanyahu's villa in Caesarea. Many of the demonstrators called for new elections. Others called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and a quick deal with Hamas to release more hostages.
The war in the Gaza Strip is also a central topic at the 60th Security Conference in Munich. At the end of the conference, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtaje will take part in a panel discussion on the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations on Sunday together with former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi.
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