Netanyahu says Israel intends to take control of all of Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the Israeli military plans to take control of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, calling the move essential for the country’s security. In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu stated the objective is to eliminate Hamas, ensure Israel’s safety, and ultimately transition Gaza to a civilian government that neither supports Hamas nor promotes hostility toward Israel.

He emphasized that Israel does not intend to govern Gaza permanently, suggesting the territory could eventually be handed over to “Arab forces” capable of managing it peacefully. “We want a security perimeter,” Netanyahu told host Bill Hemmer. “We don’t want to govern it. We want to hand it over to Arab forces who will manage it without threatening us, while giving the people of Gaza a decent life. That’s not possible with Hamas.”

Netanyahu’s comments come ahead of a meeting of Israel’s security cabinet, where the broader military plan is set to be discussed. Earlier in the week, he faced opposition from Israel’s military leadership over the proposal to seize the devastated enclave.

International organizations, including the United Nations and various aid agencies, have warned of the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and are urging increased access for humanitarian relief.

The conflict intensified after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping approximately 250 others.