TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel would continue striking the Gaza Strip and Lebanon despite the fragile ceasefire agreements.
Over the past week Israel has struck multiple areas in neighbouring Lebanon, with the Israeli military saying on Saturday it had struck Hezbollah launchers and military sites.
Gaza’s civil defence agency said 21 people were killed and dozens more wounded in multiple Israeli air strikes on Saturday, in violation of the fragile ceasefire in place since October 10.
“We are continuing to strike,” Netanyahu said as he opened a cabinet meeting.
“This weekend, the IDF (Israeli military) struck in Lebanon, and we will continue to do everything necessary to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing its threat capability against us.
“This is also what we are doing in the Gaza Strip.”
Saturday was one of the deadliest days since the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect, after two years of relentless Israeli bombardment campaign in Gaza.
The Israeli military said a person had crossed the yellow line — the boundary within the Gaza Strip that Israeli forces have withdrawn behind.
Netanyahu said it was an “absolute lie” that Israel needed outside approval before taking action.
“We decide independently of any factor, and that is how it should be. Israel is responsible for its own security,” he said.
