Israel making own decision on war plans, says Benny Gantz; denies reports of US pressure

Not the United States, Israel will be ultimately making its own decision on when to begin the ground invasion of Gaza, said Benny Gantz, who is member of Israel’s war Cabinet. The statement by Gantz came a day after a Wall Street Journal report citing America and Israeli sources saying Israel has agreed to delay an expected ground invasion of Gaza — until at least later this week— at the request of the US, so it can get more defences in place to protect American troops. On Wednesday, Joe Biden was asked if he was urging to Israel to delay its ground invasion to Gaza, to which the US President said, “The Israelis can make their own decisions." ‘Decisions based on our own interests’ Talking to reporters in Tel Aviv, Gantz said: “We are making decisions only based on our own interests." He also said Israel appreciates the support it has received from its ally the US. “Only we will defend ourselves and every Jew,” he said, adding that “the danger of being eliminated” is not Israel’s “but its enemies.” “Tough times are expected for us,” Gantz said, but assured that the Israel’s war Cabinet has been functioning well. Speaking about his National Unity party’s decision to join Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s government two weeks ago, Gantz said: “I say to you with full confidence that this was the right step for Israel and this step has already proved itself,” in security decisions and a message of internal unity, important both for domestic and enemy audiences. “I am a soldier. I wasn’t playing politics when I joined the emergency government. Just as I knew when to enter, I will also know when to exit,” he said, adding, “I’m here until after the war.” “We, as leadership, are aware of the difficulties” for civilians, in light of Hamas’s assault and the war that ensued. We will work on a new plan for the area” in order to ensure security for the communities the state plans to resurrect in the Gaza border area," he said. Gantz also said the Israeli government is working to return hostages, using every avenue possible. He also reassured Israelis of the strength of the military and the rightness of Israel’s cause. “We will not be the ones at risk of being wiped out. That will be the fate of those who seek to do us ill,” he said. With inputs from agencies