In a new escalation of his positions towards Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that he cannot allow the establishment of a Palestinian state as long as he remains in office, adding that “the struggle is not to establish a Palestinian state, but rather to eliminate the Jewish state.”

Netanyahu said, during a press conference in Tel Aviv, that he is committed not to end the war without absolute victory, such that Gaza becomes demilitarized, considering that “stopping the war before achieving the full goals will send a message of weakness.” He stressed that the war will continue until all goals are achieved and the detainees are returned, pointing out that achieving victory will require many months, and that Israel has “partially” accomplished some of its goals, and that “the day after the war means Israeli control and disarmament in Gaza.”

Netanyahu continued that Israel destroyed about two-thirds of the Hamas combat brigades, and attacked Iran, which he said was behind the Houthi and Hezbollah attacks. Despite Netanyahu’s statements, the American newspaper “The Wall Street Journal” reported that Israel withdrew thousands of soldiers from Gaza in order to move to a less severe stage; in implementation of Washington's desire.

Netanyahu's statements came in conjunction with statements by the spokesman for the National Security Council in the White House, John Kirby, stressing that Washington will not stop working towards achieving a two-state solution. Kirby added to reporters on board the presidential plane that “there will be Gaza after the conflict (ends), and it will not be reoccupied.”

Meanwhile, yesterday (Thursday), the United States launched its fourth strikes against Houthi missile platforms in five Yemeni governorates, the day after it classified the Houthis as a “terrorist group.” The US strikes targeted 14 Houthi missiles of Iranian origin that were loaded to be launched from the group’s areas of control in Yemen, according to US Central Command.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Houthi group insisted on escalating and continuing to attack ships, including American and British ships, as well as ships that have a relationship with Israel. He considered, in a sermon broadcast on Al-Masirah channel, that his group felt comfortable entering into a direct confrontation with America. Because this is what his group had hoped for, indicating that he did not care about the amount of sacrifices or losses, according to the content of his words.