Israeli PM Outlines Post-War Gaza in Hour-Long Speech to US Congress But Doesn't Mention Palestinian State

PM Netanyahu during a speech at the US Congress. (Twitter/@medeabenjamin)

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined the future of the post-war Gaza Strip but did not mention a Palestinian state, in a speech to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday.

Boycotted by dozens of Democratic politicians and thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrating outside Congress, Netanyahu dismissed criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza that has killed more than 39,000 people, according to Palestinian authorities.

Anti-Israel protesters support Hamas and "should be ashamed of themselves," Netanyahu said, alleging without evidence that they are backed by Israel's archenemy Iran, Reuters reported on July 25.

"As far as we know, Iran is funding the anti-Israel protests that are taking place right now outside this building," he said.

He blamed reports of famine in Gaza on Hamas, the militant group that controls the Palestinian enclave and insists Israel is protecting civilians there.

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers skipped his speech, expressing dismay at the thousands of civilian deaths and humanitarian crisis caused by Israel's campaign in the Hamas-ruled Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

In a speech lasting about an hour, Netanyahu sought to boost US support for Israel, particularly arms supplies, in the face of growing international condemnation after more than nine months of conflict in the Palestinian enclave that threatens to escalate into a wider regional conflict.

"Accelerating US military assistance could dramatically speed the end of the war in Gaza and help prevent a wider Middle East war," he said.

He said Israel was actively involved in intensive efforts to secure the release of the hostages. As for a post-war Gaza, his vision was for a "demilitarized and de-radicalized Gaza" led by Palestinians who do not seek Israel's destruction.

Netanyahu also spoke of the prospect of a broad Middle East security alliance between Israel and its Arab neighbors, something Washington has sought as a bulwark against Iran.

Such an arrangement would require the historic normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, and Riyadh has said that Netanyahu's rejection of Palestinian statehood and the ongoing conflict in Gaza are preventing such efforts from moving forward.

However, Netanyahu did not mention the creation of a path to a Palestinian state, something he and his right-wing coalition partners have strongly rejected, even as the Biden administration has pushed Israel to back down on the issue.

However, he did not rule out the West Bank-led Palestinian Authority, whose role in a future two-state solution is supported by the Biden administration but opposed by Netanyahu's coalition partners.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Netanyahu's speech showed he was not willing to finalize a ceasefire deal.

"Netanyahu's speech is full of lies and will not succeed in covering up the failure and defeat in the face of the resistance to cover up the genocidal war crimes committed by his army against the people of Gaza," Abu Zuhri said.

Netanyahu also thanked Biden and former President Donald Trump for their efforts on behalf of Israel. The prime minister is scheduled to meet with President Biden, Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The meeting with President Biden and Vice President Harris is scheduled for today, before he flies to Florida to meet with Trump on Friday.

The Hamas-led Palestinian militant group sparked the war on Oct. 7 by storming southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages, according to an Israeli tally. About 120 hostages are still being held, although Israel believes one in three are dead.

Separately, medical sources in Gaza said on Wednesday that at least 55 people were killed and 110 others were injured in Israeli attacks that took place in the past 24 hours.

That brings the death toll of Palestinians from Israel's deadly aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, to 39,145, while at least 90,257 others were injured.

In the West Bank, the death toll from attacks by the occupation and colonial forces has risen to 589, including 142 children, since October 7, 2023.