JERUSALEM. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel intends to take full military control of the Gaza Strip, despite growing criticism at home and abroad over the nearly two-year-long war in the enclave.
In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Netanyahu was asked whether Israel would assume control over the entire coastal territory. “We intend to,” he responded. “We don’t want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter. We don’t want to govern it. We don’t want to be there as a governing body.”
He added that Israel hopes to eventually hand over Gaza to Arab forces, without specifying which countries would be involved or what the governance structure would look like.
Netanyahu’s statement came shortly before a scheduled meeting with senior ministers to discuss a potential expansion of military operations. According to government sources, the meeting could result in a proposal for a phased takeover of areas in Gaza not yet under Israeli control, potentially accompanied by evacuation warnings to civilians. Any resolution would still require full cabinet approval, possibly on Sunday.
The move would mark a reversal of Israel’s 2005 disengagement from Gaza, when it withdrew troops and settlers while retaining control over borders, airspace, and utilities. Right-wing parties have long blamed that withdrawal for the rise of Hamas, which won the 2006 Palestinian elections and has ruled Gaza since.
It remains unclear whether Netanyahu envisions a temporary occupation aimed at dismantling Hamas or a more prolonged military presence.
Hamas condemned Netanyahu’s comments, calling them “a blatant coup” against ongoing ceasefire negotiations. “Netanyahu’s plans to expand the aggression confirm beyond any doubt that he seeks to get rid of his captives and sacrifice them,” the group said in a statement.
A Jordanian official told Reuters that Arab countries would only support governance arrangements agreed upon by Palestinians and stressed that Gaza’s security should be handled by legitimate Palestinian institutions. Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera that any force formed to govern Gaza would be seen as an occupying power.
Earlier this year, both Israel and the United States rejected a proposal from Egypt, backed by Arab nations, to establish a committee of independent Palestinian technocrats to govern Gaza after the war.
Domestically, Netanyahu’s stance has sparked renewed protests. On Thursday night, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem, calling for an end to the war and demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza. Protesters held photos of hostages and expressed anger at the government’s handling of the conflict.
“I’m here because I am sick and tired of this government. It’s ruined our life,” said Noa Starkman, a 55-year-old resident of Jerusalem.
The Hostages’ Families Forum urged Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to oppose any further escalation. Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the military would carry out the government’s decisions until all war goals were met.
Israeli officials estimate that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Most of those released so far were freed through negotiations. Talks toward a ceasefire broke down in July, though a senior Palestinian official said Hamas recently told Arab mediators that more humanitarian aid could lead to resumed negotiations.
Israel has accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid to its fighters and black market operations, allegations Hamas denies.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The Israeli military says it controls about 75 percent of the territory. Most of Gaza’s two million residents have been repeatedly displaced, and aid agencies warn the population is on the brink of famine.
“Where should we go? We have been displaced and humiliated enough,” said 30-year-old Aya Mohammad, who recently returned to her home in Gaza City after multiple displacements.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
