TEL AVIV, November 10. /TASS/. The Israeli military will not give up control of the Gaza Strip to external forces once it has finished its operation there, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a meeting with the heads of the municipalities neighboring Gaza, Ynet reported.

According to the Israeli news website, local authorities in border areas demanded that the Israeli prime minister clarify what will happen to the Gaza Strip after the current operation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ends.

"The Israel Defense Forces will retain control of the Strip, as we will not surrender it to external forces," Netanyahu said in response, as quoted by Ynet.

Following this, the news website published a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office. According to it, Netanyahu told the heads of local councils that "Israel will enforce security control over the Gaza Strip, including its total demilitarization, in order to make sure that no more threats to Israeli citizens will emanate from Gaza."

Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory on October 7, when many Israelis living in the settlements near the border were killed and more than 200 people, including children, women and the elderly, were taken hostage. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.