Israel Ready to Temporarily Govern Gaza Strip, Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that Israel can take responsibility for temporarily governing the Gaza Strip. “I think Israel will carry the general security responsibility (in Gaza) for an indefinite period, because we have seen what happens when it is not next to us,” the Jewish Prime Minister stated in an interview with ABC News.

At the same time, in response to the question of who should govern the enclave, Netanyahu emphasized, “Those who will not continue down Hamas’s path and, of course, do not follow it.”

Meanwhile, as previously reported by the Times of Israel, citing Palestinian officials, Palestinian National Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas is prepared to consider returning to power in the Gaza Strip only if it is coordinated as part of a broader peace initiative with Israel. According to sources, Abbas expressed this position during talks with representatives of the American administration.

It was noted that the Palestinian leader stated he does not intend to return to Gaza “on an Israeli tank.” Instead, Abbas expects a public declaration from Israel indicating its intention to “allow the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.” Under these conditions, Abbas would be ready to take control of both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.