The Israeli newspaper Maariv has quoted Foreign Minister Eli Cohen as saying that the Israeli government bears responsibility for the attack on October 7 and that an investigation committee must be formed to hold those who were negligent accountable.

Cohen added that talking about settlement in the Gaza Strip is “premature” and that restoring security “comes first”.

“There will be no Hamas, and we will return the kidnapped ones. We will take security control of Gaza,” he was quoted as saying.