Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel has “no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas,” defending a planned military offensive in Gaza despite mounting criticism at home and abroad.
Speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem, Netanyahu stressed that the objective is not to occupy Gaza but to “free Gaza,” outlining a vision that includes demilitarizing the territory, granting Israel overriding security control, and establishing a non-Israeli civilian administration to govern.
Pushing back against what he described as a “global campaign of lies,” the prime minister insisted there is a “fairly short timetable” for the next steps in Gaza.
He also revealed that he had recently instructed the Israeli military to allow more foreign journalists into the region — a significant move given that international media access has largely been restricted to military-embedded reporting.
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Netanyahu placed the blame for Gaza’s suffering squarely on Hamas, accusing the militant group of causing civilian deaths, widespread destruction, and severe shortages of humanitarian aid. His comments came as tensions escalated further, with hospitals and witnesses in Gaza reporting that at least 26 Palestinians were killed while seeking aid.
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Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages have called for a nationwide strike to protest Netanyahu’s plan to expand military operations. The prime minister is set to address both foreign and local media later on Sunday, just hours before the United Nations Security Council convenes an emergency meeting to discuss Israel’s proposed takeover of Gaza City.
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