Netanyahu says Israel ‘reserves right to resume war’ as over 70 arrested at pro-Gaza rally in Westminster
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Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is “reserving the right” to resume fighting hours being the Gaza ceasefire between Hamas and his nation comes into force on Sunday morning. The Israeli Prime Minister addressed his country on live TV saying his government was still waiting for the names of the first three of 33 hostages expected to be released.
He warned the “temporary” truce would not proceed until he had the list. It came as around 77 Pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested in Trafalgar Square after demonstrators broke through a police line as they marched from a rally in Whitehall calling for the killing in Gaza to stop.
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Netanyahu claimed he had the support of US President-elect Donald Trump who is due to be sworn in on Monday in Washington. “If we must return to fighting, we will do that in new, forceful ways,” he said. “President Trump and President Biden have given full backing to Israel’s right to return to combat if Israel concludes that negotiations… are futile.”.
He outlined successes of the military campaign over the last 15 months, including the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and defeats on “enemies” Iran and Hezbollah. “We changed the face of the Middle East,” Netanyahu claimed. As a result of that, Hamas is now “completely alone” on that front.
