Jerusalem, Nov 2: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to disarm Hamas and demilitarise the Gaza Strip, declaring that Israeli forces would continue operations against remaining militant cells despite the ceasefire that took effect last month.
“Some Hamas cells remain active in parts of Gaza under our control, and we are systematically eliminating them,” Netanyahu told ministers during a cabinet meeting, referring to ongoing operations in Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza, according to Xinhua News Agency.
“Disarming Hamas and demilitarising the Gaza Strip is our guiding principle,” he said, noting that it was an objective agreed upon with former US President Donald Trump. “If it cannot be achieved one way, it will be achieved another,” he asserted.
Netanyahu added that Israel would continue to act decisively to protect its troops still stationed inside Gaza. “We will inform our US allies of our operations but will not seek their permission. Israel will never compromise its supreme security responsibility,” he said.
His remarks come as the White House continues efforts to maintain the fragile ceasefire and negotiate further hostage releases. However, Israeli strikes in Gaza have persisted, though at a reduced intensity.
According to Gaza health authorities, at least 236 Palestinians have been killed and around 600 wounded by Israeli fire since the truce began more than three weeks ago, raising the overall death toll since October 7, 2023, to 68,865.
Netanyahu also urged Lebanon’s government to act against Hezbollah, accusing the group of rearming in violation of previous agreements. Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel would intensify operations to prevent cross-border threats, confirming that Israeli forces recently killed four members of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force in southern Lebanon despite the ongoing ceasefire.
