Netanyahu rejects Palestinian sovereignty in Gaza during call with Biden

Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu communicated to US President Joe Biden that he opposes Palestinian sovereignty in the Gaza Strip during a phone call on Friday.

This conversation, the first in nearly a month between the two leaders, addressed Netanyahu's stance on Gaza's future.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Netanyahu's office emphasised his policy, stating, "After Hamas is destroyed, Israel must retain security control over Gaza to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel, a requirement that contradicts the demand for Palestinian sovereignty."

Earlier in the week, Netanyahu also rejected Palestinian sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, asserting its incompatibility with Israel's need for "security control over all the territory west of the (River) Jordan."

Joe Biden, following the call, expressed optimism that Netanyahu might consider a two-state solution, a longstanding diplomatic approach to bring peace to the Middle East. Biden mentioned different types of two-state solutions, noting that some UN member countries do not have their own militaries.

A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, dismissed Biden's comments, stating, "The illusion that Joe Biden is preaching about a state of Palestine and its characteristics does not fool our people. Joe Biden is a full partner in the genocidal war, and our people do not expect any good from him."

Netanyahu, vowing to destroy Hamas and demilitarise Gaza, remains resistant to US pressure for a plan involving Palestinian statehood.