Netanyahu says Trump’s Gaza plan ‘achieves our war aims’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares his support for US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, saying it “achieves our war aims” and can end the fighting.

“It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities, end its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”

The first step, according to Netanyahu, will be “a modest withdrawal” followed by the release of all hostages within 72 hours. The next step will be the establishment of an international body charged with disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza.

If this international body succeeds, “we will have permanently ended the war,” declares Netanyahu. Military withdrawals, he says, will be linked to the progress or demilitarization.

Netanyahu says Trump’s plan is consistent with the five principles he set for the end of the war and the day after Hamas.

Israel will retain security responsibility, including a security perimeter “for the foreseeable future,” says Netanyahu.

Gaza will not be run by Hamas or by the Palestinian Authority, says Netanyahu.

“We are giving everybody a chance to have this done peacefully,” says Netanyahu.

He says that under Trump’s leadership, “we are taking the next step to win the war and expand the peace.”

Netanyahu thanks Trump for his friendship and leadership: “From Jerusalem to Tehran, from the Golan Heights to Gaza, you’ve proven time and again what I’ve said many times — you are the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.”

“It’s not even close,” says Netanyahu.