The United States has rebuffed the provocative and irresponsible remarks made by Israeli Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir, emphasizing the rejection of any large-scale displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
Ultra-right Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich recently advocated for “encouraging emigration” from Gaza, a region home to approximately 2.3 million Palestinians. Smotrich, in particular, suggested that reducing the population through “voluntary migration” would significantly alter the post-war dynamics.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army, following a strike in Beirut that claimed the life of Hamas’s deputy chief, Saleh al-Aruri, asserted its preparedness for any potential escalation.
The strike in Lebanon marked the first attack on the capital since the beginning of hostilities. The incident has raised concerns about the Israel-Hamas conflict evolving into a broader regional crisis.
Hamas, undeterred by Aruri’s death, asserted that it would not lead to its defeat, while its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon vowed retaliation, deeming the killing a “serious assault on Lebanon.” Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the killing, expressing concerns about Lebanon being further drawn into the conflict.
Saleh al-Aruri, residing in exile, faced accusations from Israel of orchestrating numerous attacks. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh emphasized that a movement whose leaders sacrifice themselves for the dignity of the people will not be defeated.
The backdrop to these developments includes Hamas’s deadly October 7 attack on Israel, resulting in a significant loss of lives, a subsequent Israeli offensive, and ongoing hostilities that have claimed thousands of lives, predominantly civilians, in Gaza.
