'We act at our discretion': Netanyahu says Israel strikes Gaza without U.S. approval

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel carries out attacks in Gaza at its own discretion and “does not seek anyone’s approval.” Netanyahu said he was responding to claims that the U.S. government “controls” him and “dictates Israel’s security policy.”

The prime minister also commented on the international force expected to operate in Gaza as part of the cease-fire agreement, saying that “Israel will decide which forces are unacceptable. The U.S. agrees to this.”

Netanyahu’s comments come after Haaretz reported that the U.S. expects Israel to notify it in advance before the IDF conducts any exceptional military strikes in the Gaza Strip, including airstrikes.

Israeli defense sources said that the Americans are not yet presenting this as a demand for a green light from them before any military action. But, in practice, they are making it very clear that they will not tolerate any more Israeli surprises that would jeopardize the cease-fire.

“Israel is an independent country, the United States is an independent country. Our relationship is one of partners,” he said.

Netanyahu added, “I want to make one thing clear – our security policy is in our own hands. We are not willing to tolerate attacks against us, we respond at our discretion against attacks, as we saw in Lebanon and recently in Gaza.”

The New York Times reported on Friday that the U.S. has begun in recent days monitoring ground activity in Gaza using drones to ensure the U.S.-backed cease-fire is upheld, citing Israeli and U.S. officials.