Netanyahu: No Palestinian state while I am prime minister

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that a Palestinian state will not be established during his tenure as prime minister. He asserted that the Israeli army will maintain its presence in Palestinian territories until the Islamist movement Hamas is effectively disarmed.

Netanyahu's remarks underscore a firm and unwavering stance on security matters and the future political arrangements in the region. The condition for withdrawal from Palestinian areas is explicitly tied to the complete disarmament of Hamas, signaling a non-negotiable prerequisite for any potential de-escalation or territorial changes.

This declaration reinforces the Israeli government's current policy, emphasizing security concerns and a cautious approach to any steps that could lead to the formation of an independent Palestinian state. The focus remains on neutralizing threats posed by militant groups before considering significant political concessions.