Defence minister: Israel not to accept rule of Hamas in Gaza at any stage

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel won’t accept Hamas rule of Gaza and is examining alternatives.

“This is a further indication it’s brushing aside a ceasefire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden as Palestinian fighters continue to resist the invasion,” he said, according to Al Jazeera.

“While we conduct our important military actions, the defence establishment is simultaneously assessing a governing alternative to Hamas,” Gallant said.

“We will isolate areas, remove Hamas operatives from these areas, and introduce forces that will enable an alternative government to form – an alternative that threatens Hamas,” Gallant added.

“On one hand, military action and on the other the ability to change the government. [This] will lead to the achievement of two of the goals of this war: the dismantling of the Hamas government and its military power, and the return of the hostages. We will not accept the rule of Hamas in Gaza at any stage in any process aimed at ending the war.”

A barrage of at least 15 rockets was fired at Katzrin, striking open areas and sparking a large fire south of the city on June 2, The Times of Israel reports citing the IDF and the Fire and Rescue Service.

There were no reports of injuries in the attack.

Hezbollah claimed to have fired dozens of rockets at an IDF base in the area.

In other barrages on June 2, 15 rockets were fired at the Kiryat Shmona area, and another eight were launched at the largely evacuated border community of Margaliot. According to the IDF, all of the rockets were intercepted.

Another rocket attack on Kiryat Shmona lightly wounded two people, the municipality said.

The city said that at least three impact sites were reported in the city, also resulting in damage.