©(Photo by Christophe Ena / POOL / AFP)
The Israeli Prime Minister reaffirmed to the US President his opposition to the restoration of Palestinian sovereignty in Gaza.
Fierce fighting continued on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, while Israel carried out operations in the West Bank, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirming his opposition to "Palestinian sovereignty" in Gaza.
Israel must "ensure that Gaza will no longer be a threat" and this requirement "contradicts the demand for Palestinian sovereignty", Netanyahu explained in a Friday telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden, according to the Prime Minister's office, on Sunday.
The war between Israel and Hamas, now entering its 107th day, is testing relations with its main ally and American supporter, particularly on the issue of a "two-state" solution, which is central to the post-war period.
On Thursday, Mr. Netanyahu had already asserted that Israel must control the security of "the entire territory west of the Jordan River", including the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
Joe Biden "still believes in the prospect and possibility" of a Palestinian state, but "recognizes that it will take a lot of work to get there", the White House said after the telephone exchange.
"The illusion that Biden is preaching in favor of a State of Palestine (....) does not fool our people", reacted Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union, on Saturday.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that "the right of the Palestinian people" to a state must be "recognized by all" and that any "denial" was "unacceptable".
Mr. Netanyahu rejected calls from the UN and the international community for a humanitarian ceasefire, while Washington called on Israel to limit civilian casualties in Gaza.
On Sunday, Hamas reported dozens of air and artillery strikes in the Gaza Strip, claiming that Israeli forces had targeted the area around the Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals in the southern town of Khan Younès, now the epicenter of military operations.
Dozens of bodies "are still under the rubble", said the Palestinian Islamist movement.
According to witnesses told an AFP correspondent, the Israeli army also resumed assaults around the Jabaliya refugee camp on Sunday morning.
In addition, the Israeli army is conducting several operations in the West Bank, in Hebron, Qalqilya and Jenin, reported the Palestinian news agency WAFA. Patrols and arrests have been made, said the same source, which reported that two houses had been demolished in Hebron. They belonged to Palestinian fighters.
On Saturday, the Israeli army dropped leaflets on Rafah showing photos of the hostages and calling on residents of the city, where tens of thousands of displaced persons are crammed together, to share any information about them.
According to Israel, 132 hostages are still in the territory. At least 27 have been killed, according to an AFP count based on Israeli figures.
In Tel Aviv, thousands of Israelis gathered on Saturday to demand the return of the hostages held since October 7 in the Gaza Strip, and to call for the departure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused in particular of continuing the war to maintain his grip on power.
Fierce fighting continued on Sunday in the Gaza Strip, while Israel carried out operations in the West Bank, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirming his opposition to "Palestinian sovereignty" in Gaza.
Israel must "ensure that Gaza will no longer be a threat" and this requirement "contradicts the demand for Palestinian sovereignty", Netanyahu explained in a Friday telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden, according to the Prime Minister's office, on Sunday.
The war between Israel and Hamas, now entering its 107th day, is testing relations with its main ally and American supporter, particularly on the issue of a "two-state" solution, which is central to the post-war period.
On Thursday, Mr. Netanyahu had already asserted that Israel must control the security of "the entire territory west of the Jordan River", including the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
UN calls rejected
Joe Biden "still believes in the prospect and possibility" of a Palestinian state, but "recognizes that it will take a lot of work to get there", the White House said after the telephone exchange.
"The illusion that Biden is preaching in favor of a State of Palestine (....) does not fool our people", reacted Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union, on Saturday.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that "the right of the Palestinian people" to a state must be "recognized by all" and that any "denial" was "unacceptable".
Mr. Netanyahu rejected calls from the UN and the international community for a humanitarian ceasefire, while Washington called on Israel to limit civilian casualties in Gaza.
Israeli hostage leaflets
On Sunday, Hamas reported dozens of air and artillery strikes in the Gaza Strip, claiming that Israeli forces had targeted the area around the Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals in the southern town of Khan Younès, now the epicenter of military operations.
Dozens of bodies "are still under the rubble", said the Palestinian Islamist movement.
According to witnesses told an AFP correspondent, the Israeli army also resumed assaults around the Jabaliya refugee camp on Sunday morning.
In addition, the Israeli army is conducting several operations in the West Bank, in Hebron, Qalqilya and Jenin, reported the Palestinian news agency WAFA. Patrols and arrests have been made, said the same source, which reported that two houses had been demolished in Hebron. They belonged to Palestinian fighters.
On Saturday, the Israeli army dropped leaflets on Rafah showing photos of the hostages and calling on residents of the city, where tens of thousands of displaced persons are crammed together, to share any information about them.
According to Israel, 132 hostages are still in the territory. At least 27 have been killed, according to an AFP count based on Israeli figures.
In Tel Aviv, thousands of Israelis gathered on Saturday to demand the return of the hostages held since October 7 in the Gaza Strip, and to call for the departure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused in particular of continuing the war to maintain his grip on power.
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