Minister Benjamin Gantz, a member of the war cabinet established after the October 7 attacks, said today that Israeli authorities “only make decisions in accordance with their interests,” denying US pressure on the ground operation.
“We make decisions solely based on our own interests,” the minister explained, adding, however, that Israeli authorities appreciate the support the United States has provided so far.
According to the Wall Street Journal, citing American and Israeli officials, Israel has agreed to postpone the offensive in the Gaza Strip so that the United States can install anti-missile defense systems to protect its forces, which should happen later this week.
“Only we will defend ourselves and every Jew,” said Gantz, who once served as defense minister, assuring there is no risk of Israel being eliminated as a sovereign nation.
Still, Gantz acknowledged that “difficult times will come” before expressing satisfaction over his decision to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government after the Hamas attacks.
The minister reported that Israeli authorities are “aware of the difficulties” faced by civilians and announced that they will “work on a new plan for the area” of the Gaza Strip, with the aim of ensuring the safety of the population.
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7 with the launch of thousands of rockets and the raid of armed militiamen, taking two hundred hostages.
In response, Israel declared war on Hamas, a movement that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007 and has been classified as terrorist by the European Union and the United States. Israel bombed several of the group’s infrastructures in the Gaza Strip and imposed a total siege. the area with an interruption of the supply of water, fuel and electricity.
The conflict has already caused thousands of deaths and injuries in both areas, among military personnel and civilians.
Source: DN
