Israel-Hamas war: Palestinians across the Middle East mark Nakba
Associated PressJERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday fended off criticism that he is not planning for a postwar reality in the Gaza Strip, saying it was impossible to prepare for any scenario in the embattled Palestinian enclave until Hamas is defeated. Palestinians search debris after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. “I call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a decision and declare that Israel will not establish civilian control over the Gaza Strip, that Israel will not establish military governance in the Gaza Strip and that a governing alternative to Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be advanced immediately,” he said, suggesting Netanyahu’s decision-making was based on political considerations. Hamas’ top leader Ismail Haniyeh said Wednesday in response to the debate over Gaza’s postwar future that “the Hamas movement is here to stay.” Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken chided Israel for the lack of a plan in some of his strongest public criticism. Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike on a school run by UNRWA, the U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees, in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, May 14, 2024.