While «peace has descended on Gaza, the bombings have stopped» as the residents of the Strip report to ANSA and Pope Francis thanks «I express gratitude to all the mediators: it is a good job to mediate so that peace can be made» he said at the Angelus speaking of truce between Israel and Gaza.
“I thank all the parties involved in this important result”, he added, launching an appeal: “I hope that what has been agreed will be respected immediately by the parties”. «I hope that the political authorities of both», the Pope said, referring to Israel and Palestine, «with the help of the international community can reach the right solution for the two States. May everyone say yes to dialogue, yes to reconciliation, yes to peace.”
The ultra-right minister Bezalel Smotrich he told Army Radio that Israel “must occupy Gaza and create a temporary military government because there is no other way to defeat Hamas.” “I will overthrow the government if it does not return to fight in a way that leads us to take control of the entire Strip and govern it,” he continued, attacking IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi and calling him “weak in strategy.” In recent weeks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has underlined that Israel has no intention of conquering or permanently occupying the Gaza Strip.