Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday (August 7) that Israel is planning to take over military control over the entire Gaza Strip and signal escalation in an almost two -year war despite growing international and domestic opposition.
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu was asked whether Israel focused on taking over the entire Gaza. He said, “We intend,” he added, “We don’t want to keep it. We want to have a safety circuit. We don’t want to drive it. We don’t want to be there like a control body.”
He suggested that the Arab forces can take over the territory as soon as Hamas is dismantled, although he did not provide any further details about who could be involved or what the arrangement would look like.
Meeting Cabinet to discuss the expansion of military control in Gaza
Netanyahu’s comments came shortly before meeting the safety cabinet on Thursday to discuss the expansion of military control in Gaza. According to two Israeli government sources that Reuters reported, the entire cabinet does not have to approve any new plans by Sunday.
One source, according to the report, stated that the government is considering gradual takeover of areas that are not yet under Israeli control. The Palestinians in these zones could receive warnings of evacuating weeks of any ground operations.
Hamas replies, “Obvious coup”
In response, Hamas condemned Netanyahu’s notes and called them “an obvious coup against the negotiating process”.
In a statement, a militant group said that Netanyahu tried to extend the war: “Netanyahu’s plans to expand aggression are undoubtedly confirmed that they are trying to get rid of their prisoners and sacrifice them.”
Hostage
About 50 hostages are still considered to be in Gaza. Israeli officials think that only 20 is alive. In July, interviews about the ceasefire collapsed after showing early progress, and Hamas demanded the permanent end of the war in exchange for prisoners.
Victims on both sides
Israel launched a campaign in Gaza after Hamas killed 1200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages in his cross -border attack on October 7, 2023.
Since then, the Ministry of Health of Gaza says that more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, including 98 deaths in the last 24 hours.
The United Nations has described reports of a wider Israeli campaign as “deeply alarming” and urged restrictions.
(Tagstotranslate) Netanyahu Gaza takeover
