‘A lot’ of foreign journalists to be allowed into Gaza, PM says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel plans to allow more foreign journalists into Gaza to verify activities in the Strip, and that the United States is aligned with Israel’s goals in the territory.

“I’ve ordered, directed the military to bring in foreign journalists, more foreign journalists – a lot,” says Netanyahu, adding the order went out about two days ago and is subject to security considerations, including to ensure journalists’ safety. “I think you should see” what’s going on in Gaza.

He claims that on such visits to the Strip, journalists would witness the efforts by Israel to feed civilians, Gazans fighting against Hamas, and the IDF working to destroy terrorist infrastructure. Almost all buildings are booby-trapped by Hamas, and the destruction that the world sees is the IDF destroying those buildings after civilians have been evacuated.

Asked about reported disagreements between the premier and United States President Donald Trump on the status of the humanitarian crisis in the Strip, with Trump having stated that there is starvation in Gaza, Netanyahu says he “very much appreciates President Trump’s support” throughout the war.

According to Netanyahu, Trump “says two things: He says all 20 hostages have to be released. And he says Hamas should not be there.”

There are 50 hostages still held by terror groups in Gaza, of whom 20 are believed to be alive.

“I think that like me, [Trump] recognizes the fact that there have been deprivations in Gaza caused by Hamas. Hamas has been the cause of that. And what we have to do is overcome it. So we’re working together to overcome it,” Netanyahu says.