Netanyahu suggests US trying to 'coerce' him into establishing post-war Palestinian state

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is rejecting requests from the U.S. to scale back his military's offensive attacks in Gaza and to establish a post-war Palestinian state.  

Netanyahu stated his position Thursday, one day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Israel wouldn't have "genuine security" without there being a strategy toward Palestinian independence.

Netanyahu said that a two-state solution would result in a launching pad for more attacks on Israel, according to the Associated Press. 

"This truth I tell to our American friends, and I put the brakes on the attempt to coerce us to a reality that would endanger the state of Israel," he said.

He also argued that Israel must have security control over the entire territory west of the Jordan River.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. sees the situation "differently."

The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7 after the terrorist organization launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in about 1,200 people being killed. 

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported that over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war.