PM: Israel not looking to occupy Gaza with expanded military op, but to ‘free it from Hamas’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells foreign media that Israel does not wish to occupy Gaza as part of its recently approved military plan to take over Gaza City, but strictly to free the territory of Hamas terrorists, while maintaining “overriding security responsibility.”

Opening a press conference at his Jerusalem office with a prepared statement, he says he has come “to puncture the lies and tell the truth: And the truth is that Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza” and is vowing to repeat the savagery of October 7 and destroy Israel.

He says many Gazans “are begging us, they’re begging the world: Free us. Free us and free Gaza from Hamas.”

He says “no nation can accept a genocidal terrorist organization, an organization committed to its annihilation, a stone’s throw from its citizens.”

“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza. Our goal is to free Gaza, free it from Hamas terrorists,” Netanyahu says.

“The war can end tomorrow if Hamas lays down its arms and releases all the remaining hostages,” he says.

Describing his postwar vision for the Strip, Netanyahu says: “Gaza will be demilitarized. Israel will have overriding security responsibility. A security zone will be established on Gaza’s border with Israel to prevent future terrorist incursions. A civilian administration will be established in Gaza that will seek to live in peace with Israel. That’s our plan for the day after Hamas.”

He summarizes his “five principles” for ending the war in Gaza: “One, Hamas disarmed. Second, all hostages freed. Third, Gaza demilitarized. Fourth, Israel has overriding security control. And five, non-Israeli peaceful civilian administration.”

He emphasizes that the Palestinian Authority is not an acceptable option, as he has done since early in the war, accusing it of promoting terrorist activity against Israel.

“That’s our plan. Given Hamas’s refusal to lay down its arms, Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas,” says Netanyahu, referring back to the new operational plan.