Denies Wanting To Control Gaza, Israeli PM: We Want To Free From Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Source: GPO/Kobi Gideon)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told foreign media on Sunday that Israel did not want to occupy the Gaza Strip as part of its military plan that was recently approved to take over Gaza City, but solely to free the region from the Hamas terrorists, while maintaining "major security responsibility".

PM Netanyahu said the Hamas militant group still has thousands of members in Gaza who he claims intends to repeat the October 7, 2023 attacks and destroy Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister claims many Gazans "asked us, they begged the world: Free us. Free us and free Gaza from Hamas," as quoted by The Times of Israel on August 10.

He said "no country can accept genocide terrorist organizations, organizations committed to destroying them, just stone-stripping from its citizens."

"Our goal is not to occupy Gaza. Our goal is to free Gaza, free it from the Hamas terrorists," Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed.

"The war could end tomorrow if Hamas lays down arms and release all remaining hostages," he said.

PM Netanyahu last week expressed his proposal to take control of the Gaza Strip military. However, the trial of the country's Security Cabinet only approved military control over Gaza City.

Criticism and concern over the plan come from various parties, from the United Nations to OKI, Arab and European League countries.

Explaining his postwar vision for the Gaza Strip, PM Netanyahu said: "Gaza will be demilitarized. Israel will have enormous security responsibilities. The security zone will be set up on the Gaza border with Israel to prevent future terrorist attacks. A civilian government will be established in Gaza that will seek peace with Israel. That is our plan for the day after Hamas."

He then summarized his "five principles" to end the war in Gaza: "First, Hamas was stripped of arms. Second, all hostages were released. Third, Gaza was demilitarized. Fourth, Israel has very large security control. And fifth, non-Israeli peaceful civilian rule."

He added that the Palestinian Authority was not an acceptable choice, as he had done since the beginning of the war, accusing him of promoting terrorist activity against Israel.

"That is our plan. Given Hamas' refusal to lay down arms, Israel has no choice but to finish work and beat Hamas," Prime Minister Netanyahu said, referring back to the new operational plan.