JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated today that Israel has no intention of annexing or occupying Gaza. Its sole objective, he said, is to eliminate Hamas and eventually transfer control of the territory to a temporary administration.
Speaking to a group of visiting Indian journalists, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel aims to assume responsibility for Gaza’s security once the war ends, which he hopes will happen soon.
“We do not seek to occupy or annex Gaza. Our mission is to dismantle Hamas, recover our hostages, and then hand Gaza over to a transitional government,” Netanyahu said. “We will not allow control by the Palestinian Authority or Hamas. Security will remain in our hands through a controlled perimeter.”
He added that the war could end immediately if Hamas surrenders, lays down arms, and releases the hostages. “Even many Palestinians in Gaza are fighting against Hamas,” he claimed.
Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s goal of making Gaza a “demilitarized” zone and said efforts are being made to bring the conflict to a swift conclusion.
The prime minister’s comments come amid mounting international criticism over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. An estimated 60,000 people have reportedly died in the Israeli offensive over the past 22 months.
The conflict began after Hamas launched an attack on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Addressing concerns over food and medical shortages in Gaza, Netanyahu dismissed the criticism and said Israel had facilitated aid deliveries.
“We’ve sent over two million tonnes of food into Gaza, but much of it was intercepted,” he said. “Thousands of aid trucks were allowed in. I personally ordered the opening of transit routes. The real issue is with distribution—Hamas is responsible for the humanitarian crisis.”
When asked about his plans to visit India, Netanyahu expressed interest in doing so soon. He also highlighted the potential for expanded cooperation between India and Israel, particularly in intelligence sharing and counterterrorism.
