Moments before the upcoming security cabinet meeting in Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu provided clarifications regarding the strategic plan for the war in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Prime Minister, in an interview with “CNN-News18” – an Indian English-language news outlet – responded to international concerns by emphasizing that Israel “will not annex Gaza”, while revealing plans to transfer control of the territory to an unspecified “transitional government body”.
Netanyahu: Israel’s core objectives
Additionally, Netanyahu once again outlined Israel’s core objectives, which are: the complete dismantling of Hamas and the unconditional return of all hostages still being held in Gaza. He stated that the conflict could end quickly if Hamas laid down its weapons and released the hostages.
It should be noted that these statements by the Israeli Prime Minister came shortly after his meeting with India’s ambassador to Israel to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in defense and economic sectors.
How Netanyahu plans the complete takeover of Gaza
It is noteworthy that Israel’s security cabinet is scheduled to convene later today regarding whether the military will proceed with full military occupation of the Gaza Strip.The plan envisions a military presence lasting 4 to 5 months and the renewed displacement of approximately one million Palestinians, primarily toward the southern “humanitarian zone” of Mawasi. The first phase of the operation, according to the Times of Israel, would be the capture of Gaza City and the camps in the center of the Palestinian enclave, with nearly half the population being forcibly moved south. The plan is causing reactions within the Israeli military, with senior IDF officers expressing concerns that it would endanger the lives of approximately 50 hostages still held by Hamas – of whom, according to reports, only 20 are believed to be alive. The main objective of the operation, according to the Israeli government, is the complete eradication of Hamas and increasing pressure for the release of hostages, following the failure of recent negotiations.
