By way of Mark Lowen, in Jerusalem, and Sean SeddonBBC News21 January 2024, 00:19 GMTUpdated 53 mins agoIsrael’s Top Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once more rejected the theory of constructing a Palestinian state.His feedback got here hours after a telephone name with US President Joe Biden and then america chief indicated Mr Netanyahu would possibly nonetheless settle for the theory. Mr Netanyahu’s remarks perceived to deepen a public divide with america.The USA believes a Palestinian state along Israel – referred to as a “two-state resolution” – is necessary for long-term balance. However the White Space stated this week america and Israeli governments “obviously see issues in a different way”.Chatting with newshounds after the 2 leaders held a choice for the primary time in virtually a month, Mr Biden insisted a two-state resolution used to be nonetheless imaginable with Mr Netanyahu in place of work.”There are a selection of forms of two-state answers. There is numerous nations which can be contributors of the UN that… do not have their very own militaries,” he stated.However on Saturday Mr Netanyahu doubled down on his place, which he has held for a lot of his political occupation and repeated previous this week.A observation launched via his place of work learn: “In his dialog with President Biden, Top Minister Netanyahu reiterated his coverage that when Hamas is destroyed Israel will have to retain safety keep an eye on over Gaza to make certain that Gaza will now not pose a danger to Israel, a demand that contradicts the call for for Palestinian sovereignty.”Additionally on Saturday, in a submit on X – previously Twitter – he stated Israel will have to retain “safety keep an eye on over all of the house west of [River] Jordan”, a space which additionally encompasses the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution territory. The feedback will hose down hopes in some circles that the Gaza disaster may lead to Israeli and Palestinian leaders restarting diplomatic negotiations and kickstarting the dormant peace procedure.Mr Netanyahu’s expanding isolation in another country comes amid proceeding enhance for the warfare at house, coupled with protests over the destiny of the estimated 130 hostages nonetheless being held within Gaza via Hamas.Hamas killed about 1,300 other folks – most commonly civilians – and took 240 hostages of their wonder assault on southern Israel on 7 October.1000’s of protesters, together with family members of the ones nonetheless lacking, accumulated in Tel Aviv on Saturday, urging Mr Netanyahu to succeed in a truce to permit the hostages house. Symbol caption, Protesters referred to as for a deal to be agreed with Hamas for the hostages to be freedGil Dickmann, whose cousin used to be captured on 7 October, stated: “Pricey Top Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, we imagine that you’ll deliver them again. We imagine in you. “We all know that you’ll signal this deal and convey about this victory to all of the electorate of Israel. Do exactly it, Bibi. Do exactly it. Convey the hostages again house.”Israeli forces have persisted to push into southern Gaza, pronouncing they’re on the lookout for most sensible Hamas officers they imagine are hiding in Khan Younis, the Strip’s 2d largest town.The Israel Protection Forces stated that they had raided a tunnel in Khan Younis that were used to carry hostages, even supposing they weren’t there when it used to be came upon. Whilst the point of interest of the combating is now in southern Gaza, there were renewed clashes across the northern the town of Jabalia, as Palestinian combatants reportedly complicated whilst Israel attempted to transport its squaddies and tanks south. Nearly 3 months since Israel introduced its flooring invasion of Gaza, its military – massively awesome to Hamas in energy and gear – remains to be going through vital resistance around the territory. The Hamas-run well being ministry in Gaza stated on Sunday that 25,105 other folks were killed within the territory since 7 October. Greater than 60,000 had additionally been injured, it stated.
