Netanyahu resists demands over Palestinian state

By Nathan Morley

Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted Israel should keep security control over all the Palestinian territories.

The Israeli prime minister said this condition was "contrary" to establishing a future Palestinian state.

His comments resisted pressure on his administration from the United States and others to commit to future Palestinian statehood.

Netanyahu and American President Joe Biden discussed the future of the Palestinian territories during a telephone conversation on Friday.

Calls for a two-state solution

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said the right of Palestinians to build their own state must be recognized by all.

Likewise, Pope Francis and the Holy See have consistently called for a two-state solution.

Netanyahu's isolation abroad comes amid mounting disapproval at home and protests over the fate of hostages still being in Gaza by Hamas. Thousands of demonstrators, including relatives of the kidnapped, gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday, urging Netanyahu to reach a peace to allow the hostages' return.

Fighting hampers humanitarian aid

Elsewhere, bombardments and fighting are continuing to hamper the distribution of urgent medical and humanitarian supplies in Gaza, including a recent delivery from Qatar. 

The aid was the first shipment to arrive as part of an agreement mediated by Qatar and France. Dozens of Israeli hostages are expected to receive the medication.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops continue to push into southern Gaza in search of Hamas officers, who Israel believes are hiding in Khan Younis.

Elsewhere, two people were killed on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike targeting a truck in southern Lebanon.