By Zain Khalil
JERUSALEM, Palestine (AA) - Israel will ensure that Hamas is not positioned along its border after the war in Gaza ends, according to a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as reported Saturday by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
In response to reports that Israel is seeking to establish a buffer zone between Gaza, Mark Regev said Israel will not allow a situation where Hamas is on the borders.
Israeli sources said Friday that Netanyahu informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel is considering a buffer zone inside the Gaza Strip when the war is over, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
Netanyahu reiterated that Israel will maintain security control over the Gaza Strip in the post-war phase, sources added.
The Israeli army resumed bombing the Gaza Strip early Friday after declaring an end to a week-long humanitarian pause.
At least 193 Palestinians have been killed and 652 injured in Israeli airstrikes since, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Israel launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.
* Writing by Mohammad Sio