Ban Ki-Moon, Reuven Rivlin
Ban Ki-Moon, Reuven RivlinFlash90

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin took a stand for Israel's security rights on Monday, speaking to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon after the latter blamed "the occupation" for Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. 

The lifting of the restrictions can only take place after the Palestinian leadership, and the international community, find a way to dismantle the terrorist capabilities of Hamas, and ensure that Israeli citizens will be able to live in safety," Rivlin declared. 

Rivlin added that Israel is not, in his words, "blind to the difficulties" of Gazans, who face poverty in the Hamas-controlled territory despite billions allocated in foreign and Israeli aid. 

The president did stress, however, that humanitarian aid cannot come at the cost of Israeli security. 

“The rehabilitation of Gaza is an Israeli interest as much as a Palestinian one. Our Palestinian neighbors in Gaza are held captive by Hamas.  They deserve safety and a better life," Rivlin said. “All will agree, that any solution should include the core issues. We must not return to the status-quo pre-"Protective Edge". Israel cannot tolerate a situation, in which Hamas is targeting Israeli civilians, and expanding its terrorist capabilities and infrastructure.”

Ban Ki-Moon appealed to the "Palestinian aid" angle, insisting that "Gaza needs to be rebuilt" through Israel "easing restrictions" designed not to stifle Gazans' economy, but to prevent terror. 

“While I am relieved that the ceasefire in Gaza is largely holding, there is much work ahead.  Gaza needs to be rebuilt, repaired and healed," Ban insisted. " I am confident that President Rivlin shares my belief in the need to improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians alike.  Economic revival can change the dynamics on the ground and ultimately enhance stability."  

"Israel has taken steps in the right direction, easing restrictions on movement and trade and this is positive, and we hope to see further steps in this direction," he continued. "More cooperation will benefit both sides.”

Ban sparked fury from the Israeli public and political machine on Sunday, after he called "the occupation" in Gaza the "root cause" of Israel's self-defense operation over the summer. 

Earlier Monday, Netanyahu blasted Ban over the remarks, noting they stem from a misconception of the facts.

"The root cause of the violence that burst from Gaza is not Israel’s occupation in Gaza, for a simple reason: Israel doesn’t occupy Gaza," Netanyahu explained. "Israel left Gaza to the very last centimeter, to the very last inch. We uprooted all the settlements and vacated all the settlers. So there is no Israeli occupation of Gaza."