Netanyahu defends Israel’s plan to ‘take over’ Gaza amid European leaders’ pushback | World News

Israeli Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has “no choice” but to “finish the job” against Hamas, citing the group’s refusal to lay down arms. Speaking to reporters at an international press conference on Sunday, he outlined plans for a new military offensive targeting what he called Hamas’ two remaining strongholds in Gaza City and the “central camps”.
“Given Hamas’ refusal to lay down its arms, Israel has no choice but to complete the job and defeat Hamas,” Netanyahu said. He told the press that about 70–75% of Gaza was already under Israeli military control, but the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had been instructed the security cabinet to “dismantle” the two areas still under Hamas control.
However, Netanyahu said Israel’s objective was not to occupy Gaza but to “free it from Hamas terrors”. He described Hamas as a “genocidal organisation” and said the war could end if all hostages were freed and the group put down its weapons.
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He outlined five principles that he said would guide Israel’s plan for Gaza once Hamas was defeated:
1. Disarmament of Hamas.
2. Return of all hostages.
3. Demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip.
4. Israel taking “overriding security control” in Gaza.
5. Establishment of an “alternative civil adminration” not run Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
Netanyahu said this civilian adminration should be willing to live in peace with Israel. He also proposed a security zone on Gaza’s border with Israel to prevent future armed incursions.