Netanyahu Announces Israel’s Plan to Reoccupy Gaza Strip
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared Israel’s intention to take full control of the Gaza Strip and eliminate Hamas, signaling a major policy shift. The move comes as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas have stalled, and the Israeli government is likely to approve the plan soon.
Netanyahu, in an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Bill Hemmer, stated that the reoccupation is aimed at ensuring Israel’s security and liberating the people of Gaza from Hamas. He emphasized the long-term goal of transferring governance to civilian authorities, stating, ‘We want to liberate ourselves and liberate the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas.’
The decision follows a period of intense conflict that began nearly two years ago with the October 7th terror attacks, during which about 50 hostages, both dead and alive, remain trapped in Gaza. The stalled ceasefire talks have further complicated the situation, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff previously expressing optimism about potential progress but now facing challenges in achieving meaningful results.
In his remarks, Netanyahu defended the humanitarian situation in Gaza, attributing the crisis to Hamas’ control and its supposed looting of aid supplies. ‘They want people to be civilian casualties. They want a starvation policy that they themselves are trying to put into being,’ he said. ‘And we’re doing everything to reverse that.’
Despite ongoing efforts by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, supported by the U.S. and Israel, to provide aid, the United Nations and other international groups have raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis, with some demanding the organization’s dissolution due to alleged war crimes and violations of humanitarian law. While the GHF has denied these allegations, the situation remains dire, with reports of worsening conditions and limited access to essential supplies.
The Israel security cabinet is set to meet to discuss the future of the war and its impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The potential reoccupation of Gaza has sparked debate, with some advocating for a lasting security presence and others questioning the implications of such a move, highlighting the complex and challenging nature of the situation in the region.