JERUSALEM/ ISTANBUL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army to suspend military operations until his return from the US out of fear of “undesired entanglement” during his meeting with US President Donald Trump, local media reported Monday.
“The political leadership has instructed the Israeli army to suspend some military operations until Netanyahu returns from his visit to the US,” the public broadcaster KAN said.
It added that the decision stems from concerns over “unwanted complications” during Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump in Florida.
Netanyahu arrived in the US on Sunday to meet with Trump. The trip came after the army said a reserve officer was wounded in a bomb explosion in Rafah in southern Gaza, with Netanyahu blaming Hamas for the blast.
Talks between Trump and Netanyahu are expected to take up transition to the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal that took effect on Oct. 10.
Phase two of the plan calls for the establishment of a new governing mechanism in Gaza, without Hamas’ participation, the formation of a multinational force, and the disarmament of Hamas.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed over 71,000 Palestinians in the enclave, most of them women and children, and rendered it largely uninhabitable.