PM said to expect escalation with Lebanon or Gaza, not seek Palestinian peace talks

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 10, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 10, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett reportedly told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee this morning that Israel could have to face a military confrontation soon with Lebanon or Gaza, alongside plans to thwart Iran’s nuclear program.

According to the Ynet news site, during the part of today’s discussion that was closed to the media, Bennett also referred to Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s recent meetings with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

The report says Bennett clarified that he isn’t planning to advance peace talks with the Palestinians at this time, adding that Israel’s interest is to keep the stability in the West Bank and the Gaza strip.

He also reportedly said his government wants to prevent the Hamas terror group from arming and to return two civilians and two bodies of IDF soldiers believed to be held in Gaza.

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