Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he has not ruled out further strikes against Hamas leaders, asserting that they would not have immunity “wherever they are” and that countries have the right to defend themselves “beyond their borders.” These remarks followed a recent attack in Qatar, which Hamas reported killed six individuals but from which its leaders survived. Netanyahu’s comments were made during a joint press conference in Jerusalem with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where the strong relationship between the US and Israel was affirmed during a visit to the Western Wall.
Discussions between Netanyahu and Rubio reportedly included Israeli military plans concerning Gaza City and Israel’s ongoing expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu recently signed an agreement to advance the E1 settlement project, reiterating his position that a Palestinian state would not be established. Israel has constructed approximately 160 settlements, housing an estimated 700,000 residents, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since occupying the territories in 1967. Palestinians seek these lands, along with Gaza, for a prospective future state.
Source: www.bbc.com