JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the phase of intense fighting against Hamas was coming to an end, but that the war would not end until the Islamist group no longer controls the Gaza Strip.
Once the intense fighting in Gaza ends, Netanyahu said, Israel will be able to deploy more forces along the northern border with Lebanon, where fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah has intensified.
“Once the intense phase is over, we will have the possibility to move part of the forces to the north. And we will do it. First and foremost for defensive purposes. And secondly, to bring our residents (evacuees) home” Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14.
“If we can, we will do it diplomatically. If not, we will do it another way. But we will bring (residents) home,” he said.
Many Israeli cities near the Lebanese border have been evacuated during the fighting.
Netanyahu also reiterated his rejection of the idea of the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank, ruling Gaza instead of Hamas.