August 8, 2025 | 01:39 pm
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed on Thursday, August 7, 2025, that Israel will proceed with the plan to occupy Gaza to establish a future civilian administration free from Hamas influence, as reported by Anadolu.
“We intend to (take control of Gaza) in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free ... and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel,” Netanyahu claimed when asked in an interview with FOX News if Israel would take over control of Gaza.
He claimed that his goal is not to rule the enclave permanently, but to remove Hamas and enable a different local administration, supported by regional Arab partners.
When asked whether Israel would reoccupy the entire 26-mile-long territory, as it did before withdrawing in 2005, Netanyahu replied, “We don't want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter.”
“We don't want to be there as a governing body. We want to hand it over to Arab forces that will govern it properly without threatening us and giving the Gazans a good life,” he added.
Netanyahu made his comments to Fox News ahead of a meeting scheduled on Thursday with a small group of senior ministers to discuss the military's plan to take over more territory in Gaza.
Gaza Expansion Plan Met with Rejection
This security cabinet session follows this week's meeting with the military chief, described by Israeli officials as tense, with reports that the military chief had rejected an expansion of the military operation in Gaza.
Polls, as reported by Al Arabiya, show that the majority of Israelis want the war to end in a deal that frees the hostages still held by Hamas.
The idea, primarily driven by extremist right-wing ministers in the Netanyahu coalition, of Israeli forces breaking into areas they do not yet control within the enclave has raised concerns in Israel.
The mother of a hostage urged citizens on Thursday to take to the streets to protest against the expansion of the military operation.
The Hostage Families Forum, representing the hostages held in Gaza, urged Military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to oppose an expansion of the war and urged the government to accept a deal that would end the war and free the remaining hostages.
However, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday that the military would carry out the government's decision until all war goals are achieved.
Israeli leaders have long insisted on Hamas being disarmed and having no role in the future of a demilitarized Gaza and for the hostages to be freed.
The UN described reports of Israel's potential expansion of the military operation in Gaza as "deeply alarming" if true.
There are 50 hostages still held in Gaza, of whom the Israeli officials believe 20 to be alive. Most of those released so far have emerged as a result of diplomatic negotiations. Talks toward a ceasefire deal that could have freed more hostages collapsed in July due to Israel.
Unhindered Humanitarian Aid Delivery Needed in Gaza
A senior Palestinian official said Hamas had informed Arab mediators that an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza would lead to a resumption of ceasefire talks.
Israeli officials accuse Hamas of confiscating aid to distribute to its fighters and sell in Gaza markets to finance its operations, accusations that Hamas and the UN deny.
Video released last week of two still-living hostages showed them emaciated and weak, prompting international condemnation. However, these conditions are also experienced by Palestinians in Gaza due to Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid.
Hunger and Malnutrition Spread in Gaza
Hospitals in Gaza recorded four new deaths as a result of hunger and malnutrition in the last 24 hours, according to the Gaza Health Ministry on Thursday, as reported by Aljazeera, bringing the total death toll from starvation to 197, including 96 children.
The head of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said 12,000 children in Gaza are experiencing "acute malnutrition" as Israel continues its policy of starvation.
Israel's genocidal war in Gaza has killed at least 61,258 people and injured 152,045. An estimated 1,139 died in Israel during the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, and over 200 were taken captive.
Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its war in the enclave.
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