We Will Not Occupy Gaza: Israeli PM Netanyahu

Tel Aviv- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clarified that Israel has no plans to occupy Gaza, but will instead work to demilitarise the territory and establish a peaceful civilian administration.

“We are not going to occupy Gaza — we are going to free Gaza from Hamas. Gaza will be demilitarised, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organisation. This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future,” Netanyahu posted on X.

His remarks follow criticism over the Israeli Security Cabinet’s recent approval of a plan for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to take control of Gaza City. Critics argue that such a move could violate international law, worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and derail efforts to reach a ceasefire.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the plan was part of the government’s strategy to defeat Hamas and included provisions to provide humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones.

Opposition leaders have sharply criticised the decision. Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition, called it “a disaster that will lead to more disasters,” warning that it could result in the deaths of hostages and soldiers, cost tens of billions of shekels, and trigger political instability.

Lapid accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of pushing Netanyahu into a prolonged and costly occupation against military advice, with no clear post-conflict plan. “This is exactly what Hamas wanted: for Israel to be trapped in the field without a goal, in a pointless occupation that no one understands where it is leading,” he said.

With inputs from IANS