US Opposes ‘Reoccupation’ of Gaza by Israel, Also Rejects Oct 6 Status Quo – News18

Nov 8, 2023 Divya Bharat

Last Updated: November 08, 2023, 06:36 IST

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

Netanyahu has remained firm on his position, vowing on Sunday that there won’t be a ceasefire until the hostages are returned. (AP Photo)

Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, which it captured in the 1967 Six-Day War, in 2005. It later imposed a blockade after Hamas

The United States made it clear on Tuesday that it does not support the idea of a prolonged Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, even in the face of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s promise to ensure the conclave’s overall security, in the aftermath of the October 7 attack.

“Our viewpoint is that Palestinians must be at the forefront of these decisions and Gaza is Palestinian land and it will remain Palestinian land,” State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters during a press conference. “Generally speaking, we do not support the reoccupation of Gaza and neither does Israel. Secretary (of State Antony) Blinken was fairly clear about that during his travels as well,” he said.

No Returning to the Oct 6 Status Quo

Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, which it captured in the 1967 Six-Day War, in 2005. It later imposed a blockade after Hamas militants seized control of the territory. Patel said that the United States agreed “there is no returning to the October 6 status quo,” referring to the day before a massive attack by Hamas.

“Israel and the region must be secure and Gaza should and can no longer be a base from which to launch terror attacks against the people of Israel or anyone else,” Patel said. Netanyahu, in an interview Monday with ABC News, said that Israel would assume “overall security” over Gaza “for an indefinite period” after the war, which is now entering its second month.

Separately, in a televised statement marking the first month of Israel’s war with Hamas, Netanyahu said there will be no fuel delivered to Gaza and no ceasefire with Hamas unless hostages are freed. He also warned Iran-backed Hezbollah “it will be making the mistake of its life” if it opens a new front in the war from its base in Lebanon.

The Israeli military has bombed Gaza and is scaling up ground operations in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas militants, who killed 1,400 people in Israel and seized around 240 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. The Hamas-run health ministry has said the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 10,300 people.

(With agency inputs)