Netanyahu defends Gaza ceasefire after Israeli criticism

A Palestinian protester holds up a sign on Tuesday, November 13, during a demonstration in the occupied West Bank town of Hebron against the Israeli air strikes on Gaza. (AFP)
  • 鈥極ur enemies begged for a ceasefire and they knew very well why鈥�
  • The deal has provoked criticism from within Netanyahu鈥檚 government

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday defended his decision to accept a ceasefire after the worst escalation with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip since a 2014 war.
鈥淚n times of emergency, when making decisions crucial to security, the public can鈥檛 always be privy to the considerations that must be hidden from the enemy,鈥� he said at a ceremony in honor of Israel鈥檚 founding father David Ben-Gurion.
鈥淥ur enemies begged for a ceasefire and they knew very well why.鈥�
The deal has provoked criticism from within Netanyahu鈥檚 government as well as from Israelis who live near the Gaza Strip and want further action against its Islamist rulers Hamas.