In a defiant statement on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to persist with the country’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip, dismissing the impact of a genocide lawsuit filed against Israel by South Africa with the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Netanyahu, addressing journalists, declared, “We will continue the war in the Gaza Strip until we achieve all our objectives. The Hague and the axis of evil will not stop us.” However, he did not elaborate on what he meant by the “axis of evil.”
On the 100th day of the conflict that has claimed over 23,800 lives in Gaza, Netanyahu outlined objectives, including the elimination of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, repatriation of hostages, and ensuring Gaza does not pose future threats to Israel. He emphasized the commitment by presenting a budget on Sunday that allocates additional funds for security purposes.
Discussing the Philadelphia Corridor, a strategic strip along the Gaza-Egypt border, Netanyahu stressed its significance for controlling the situation. He asserted that without control over the corridor, eliminating Hamas would be challenging, and Israel is considering all options.
Regarding financial matters, Netanyahu stated, “We will not transfer funds to the Palestinian Authority that may assist Hamas in any way.”
The International Court of Justice in The Hague recently conducted public hearings as part of the genocide case filed by South Africa against Israel. The court is expected to announce its next steps in the coming days regarding the lawsuit.
