(Finance) – Benjamin Netanyahu announces to his country and to the world that the only way to eliminate Hamas and free the hostages is to enter the Palestinian enclave, the Prime Minister says, speaking to the Nation, who for the first time also mentions his responsibilities for the attacks of 7 October: “It was a black day. We will clarify everything that happened. Everyone – he admitted – will have to give explanations for that attack, starting with me. But only after war. My job now is to lead the country to victory.”
It will be up to the Israeli war cabinet to initiate ground operations, Netanyahu assured on TV after hypotheses and speculation have multiplied in recent days on the reasons for the postponement of the invasion which seemed imminent immediately after the Hamas attacks. According to the Wall Street Journal, Israel would have accepted the postponement to allow the US to deploy a dozen air defense systems to protect American troops in the region from missiles and rockets, given the repeated threats from Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah allies. The wait – according to the American newspaper – should last until everything is ready, perhaps already at the end of the week. From Washington Joe Biden made it known that “not having asked” anything in this sense from Israel.
Meanwhile, Rome does not hide its concern for the delicate situation in the Middle East which – as Prime Minister Meloni underlined – “it could become an avalanche”.
Yesterday, meanwhile, the Chamber of Deputies approved the majority resolution on the Prime Minister’s communications Giorgia Meloni in view of the European Council which will reiterate the firm condemnation of Hamas’ terrorist attacks, Israel’s full right to defend itself (in compliance with international law) and the guarantee of humanitarian support for civilians trapped in Gaza.