An unnamed political source said Monday that Israel will not withdraw from its current position in the Gaza Strip and will continue to neutralize any threat to its citizens and soldiers, according to reports.
At 16:47 Jerusalem today (Monday), an unnamed political source stated that Israel will not withdraw from its current operational line in the Gaza Strip and will continue to thwart any threat to its citizens and soldiers. The statement, published in three versions within minutes, came shortly after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and MK Orit Strook demanded at 16:31 that Prime Minister Netanyahu block the entry of an international force into Gaza. Barak Ravid of N12 assessed that the political source's remarks effectively reject two key US demands: a return to the previous "yellow line" and a halt to targeted killings.
The Zioneer first reported the statement at 16:47, noting that Israel would maintain its position. A second version added that the statement comes amid reported disagreements with the Peace Council. A third version, citing Ravid's analysis, highlighted the rejection of US demands. The initial report was based on a single unnamed source, and the Zioneer noted that the report's authenticity could not be independently verified. The Smotrich-Strook demand, reported at 16:31, argued that the cabinet decision to approve the international force was based on false information.
As The Zioneer reported on June 17, the United States has been pushing for Gaza reconstruction and the deployment of an international force without first resolving Hamas's disarmament, a proposal blocked by the Israeli security cabinet. On July 28, bereaved families from the Forum of the Heroic warned that failing to maintain Israeli control could lead to another October 7. The political source's statement today reinforces the government's position amid ongoing debate over the international force.
The identity of the political source was not disclosed, and the report could not be independently verified. The exact nature of the US demands, and whether the statement represents a formal government position, remains unclear. The cabinet continues to weigh the international force proposal, which has drawn opposition from coalition members and bereaved families.
3 developments
- DevelopingPolitical source: Israel reiterates no withdrawal from Gaza yellow line without disarmament, contrasting Peace Council
- StrongIsraeli source rejects speculation of halt in Gaza strikes
- StrongGaza quiet since Monday morning, no strikes recorded
- DevelopingSenior Israeli security official: IDF will not withdraw from southern Lebanon
Source and signal
- Open-source intake