Netanyahu: No Palestinian state while I am prime minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that he will not permit the creation of a Palestinian state in either the Gaza Strip or the West Bank as long as he remains prime minister. This reiteration of his long-standing position comes amid escalating tensions and follows Israel's rejection of a U.S.-proposed plan for Gaza, which Hamas had reportedly accepted.

Netanyahu stressed during a cabinet meeting that the Israeli military will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. He specified that this includes the removal of all heavy and light weaponry, stating Israel seeks "real disarmament, not just symbolic disarmament." This condition is central to Israel's stance before any withdrawal from Gaza.

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We will not have a Palestinian state in Gaza or in the West Bank as long as I am prime minister.

The prime minister's firm declaration underscores a major point of contention in ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire and establish a pathway toward future governance in the region. The Israeli government's rejection of the U.S. plan, despite Hamas's apparent approval, signals a deep divide in the diplomatic landscape.

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We want real disarmament, not just symbolic disarmament.