In a conversation with the foreign press in Jerusalem, he defended the planned military offensive in Palestinian territory and said that ‘the goal is not to occupy Gaza, but to free it’
The Prime Minister of, said on Sunday that the country “has no choice but to finish the work and defeat the Completely. ”In conversation with the foreign press in Jerusalem, he defended the planned military offensive in Palestinian territory and said that“ the goal is not to occupy Gaza but to release it. ”“ We have completed much of the work. We have between 70% and 75% of Gaza under Israeli military control, ”said Israeli leader during a press conference in Jerusalem.“ But we still have two bastions: the city of Gaza and the fields ”in the center of the Gaza Strip.“ We have no other option to complete the work. This is the best way to finish war and the best way to finish it quickly. ”
According to Netanyahu, the operation will have five phases. “First, to disarm Hamas. Secondly, freeing all hostages. Thirdly, demilitarizing Gaza. In fourth place, Israel will exert a preponderant security control. In fifth place, a non-Israeli peaceful civil administration,” the Prime Minister summarized. Netanyahu also reacted to what he called the “global lies campaign” against the plan, which has been receiving criticism inside and outside Israel. According to him, there is a “relatively short term” for the next steps in Gaza, which include the demilitarization of the territory, the security control under the responsibility of Israel’s defense forces and the creation of a non -Israeli civil administration.
The prime minister also said that he ordered the Armed Forces in recent days that they “bring more foreign journalists” to cover the conflict – something unprecedented since the beginning of the war, as the entry of reporters in Gaza has only occurred in visits organized by the army. Netanyahu again attributed to the terrorist group Hamas the responsibility for civil deaths, destruction and lack of humanitarian aid in the enclave.
