Netanyahu refuses to back down: “The Israeli army will remain in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria for as long as necessary”

©picture alliance/dpa | Michael Kappeler

As Hamas welcomes the agreement between the United States and Iran and hopes for an end to the violence continue to grow, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears unwilling to stand down.

Hope for an end to the violence in Gaza

On Monday, the Palestinian group Hamas responded positively to the agreement between the United States and Iran. The movement congratulated its Iranian ally on its “steadfastness” and hopes the pact will have positive consequences for regional issues, including an immediate end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.

The Gaza Strip has been bombed by the Israeli army for more than two years, resulting in thousands of deaths. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since October, but according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 992 Palestinians have been killed. Israel lost five soldiers during the same period.

Netanyahu: "Israel will remain in security zones"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that the Israeli army will remain in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria “as long as necessary. We have established broad security zones around Israel,” he said during a press conference. “We will remain in those zones for as long as necessary to protect our country.”

Netanyahu also spoke about his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, which had appeared strained in recent weeks. “We don’t always agree with each other, but disagreements happen even in the best of families,” he noted. Regarding the nuclear memorandum negotiated over six days, Netanyahu said: “With or without an agreement: Iran will not possess nuclear weapons, not today and not tomorrow.”

Despite agreement, Israel and Hezbollah continue to attack each other

Despite the memorandum, Israel and Hezbollah continue to attack each other. On Monday evening, the Israeli military carried out strikes against a “direct threat” to troops in southern Lebanon, with the air force intercepting rockets and targeting “terrorists” in vehicles.

Vance: “Israel will ultimately support the agreement”

U.S. Vice President JD Vance believes Israel will ultimately support the agreement. “This agreement makes Israel safer,” he said. “We are confident that Israelis will support this.” Vance added that the U.S. and Israel have fundamentally distinct interests, but also shared interests.

According to Jotaro Tamura, CEO of Japanese shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines, it will take weeks for shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to resume, as shipping companies will only dare to use the Strait once the agreement is “concrete.”

©picture alliance/dpa | Michael Kappeler