Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to gain complete control over the Gaza-Egypt border zone, asserting that this is the sole means to achieve the demilitarization of the Palestinian enclave and prevent attacks from across the border.
During a press conference in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Netanyahu expressed his belief that the war with Hamas would persist for several more months, despite international pressure to cease hostilities.
He reiterated his plans to eradicate Hamas entirely and secure the release of all Israeli hostages, vowing to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel and that it no longer supports terrorism in any form.
Netanyahu also emphasized the importance of restoring security in Israeli cities and settlements affected by the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, as well as facilitating the safe return of residents.
He stressed that the Philadelphi Corridor, or the southern stoppage point of Gaza, must be under Israeli control and closed off, as any other arrangement would not guarantee the demilitarization that they are striving for.
In his capacity as prime minister, Netanyahu stated that he has refused to yield to international pressure aimed at halting the war until their objectives are achieved. He also commended the United States for authorizing the provision of additional military equipment to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Netanyahu did not provide further details regarding whether he intends to assume exclusive Israeli control over the enclave after years of disengagement, subsequent to the unilateral withdrawal of Israeli security forces in 2005.
Nevertheless, he has consistently emphasized that he will not permit the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank but not Gaza, to assume control over the embattled enclave following the conclusion of the conflict.
This statement from Netanyahu follows South Africa’s recent appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, accusing Israel of perpetrating “genocide” against the Palestinian population in Gaza.
Israel has refuted these allegations, asserting that they lack factual and legal basis, and instead placing blame on Hamas for causing suffering to the people of Gaza and utilizing civilians as human shields.
The Hamas-run government reports that over 21,600 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza since Israel initiated airstrikes and a ground invasion in the enclave. Israel declared war on Hamas and other Palestinian militants in response to their attacks on southern Israeli cities, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 200 hostages.
As part of prisoner exchanges during a weeklong ceasefire in late November, dozens of hostages were subsequently released.
