Not Going To Occupy Gaza, Will Free It From Hamas: Israel PM Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposes a plan for Gaza aiming to liberate it from Hamas. He emphasises establishing a civilian government while facing international criticism over military actions.

After coming under attack over his war plans, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clarified his intentions on Gaza, saying that his country will not occupy Gaza rather free it from Hamas.

This statement came after Israel's security cabinet approved a military plan to take control of Gaza City, which faced criticism both domestically and internationally.

In a post on X, Netanyahu said, "We are not going to occupy Gaza - we are going to free Gaza from Hamas." The Israeli PM stated that Israel aims to liberate Gaza from Hamas and establish a peaceful civilian government.

Netanyahu's Vision for Gaza

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel does not intend to occupy Gaza but rather aims to demilitarize it and set up a civilian administration. He stressed that this administration would not involve the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, or any terrorist group.

He added, "Gaza will be demilitarized, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organization.

This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future.:

On the other hand, the Israeli Prime Minister also expressed dissatisfaction with Germany's decision to halt weapons exports to Israel. During his call with Merz, Netanyahu criticized Germany for suspending arms supplies, arguing that it rewards Hamas terrorism instead of supporting Israel's fight against the group.

International Reactions and Criticism

The updated military strategy includes Israeli forces taking control of Gaza City. This plan has sparked significant global criticism. Countries like China, Turkey, Britain, several Arab nations, and the United Nations Human Rights Chief have voiced concerns over the move. Hamas has labelled the plan as a "new war crime."

In response to these developments, Germany announced a halt on military exports to Israel due to concerns about their potential use in Gaza. Chancellor Merz remarked on the difficulty in understanding how Israel's actions align with its stated objectives.

Israel's Military Strategy

Netanyahu outlined five principles for Gaza's future, focusing on demilitarization and establishing an alternative civil authority. He mentioned in an interview with Fox News that Israel does not plan long-term governance of Gaza but intends to create a "security perimeter" before transferring control to Arab forces capable of maintaining stability.

Last month, the Israeli army claimed control over approximately 75 percent of the Gaza Strip. Historically, Israel occupied Gaza from 1967 until its withdrawal in 2005.