Raphael Kanu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his plan to capture Gaza City and dismantle the last two Hamas strongholds, calling it “the best way to end the war” despite mounting domestic and international pressure to halt the fighting.
More than 22 months into the conflict — sparked by Hamas’s unprecedented October 2023 attack on Israel — the nation remains deeply divided between those seeking a ceasefire and hostage deal, and those pushing for Hamas’s total defeat.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem on Sunday, Netanyahu announced that the new military operation would be carried out on “a fairly short timetable” to target Hamas positions in Gaza City and the central camps in Al Mawasi. He said Israel already controls about 70–75% of the Gaza Strip militarily.
“This is the best way to end the war, and the best way to end it speedily,” Netanyahu said. “Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”
The operation will also establish secure corridors and safe zones to allow civilians to evacuate. Hamas officials dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks as “a series of lies.”
Tensions escalated further after an Israeli strike in Gaza on Sunday killed five Al Jazeera journalists, according to the Qatar-based network. Media watchdogs say around 200 journalists have died in Gaza since the war began.
The plan has sparked large protests in Tel Aviv, with opponents warning it could endanger remaining hostages and increase Israeli military casualties. Far-right cabinet ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, criticised the plan as insufficiently aggressive, calling for full control of Gaza.
International criticism has also mounted, with UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca warning that the move could trigger “another calamity in Gaza” and worsen the humanitarian crisis. The UN says at least 61,430 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, while Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel left 1,219 dead.
Netanyahu said his goal is not to occupy Gaza but to establish a civilian administration unaligned with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. His office confirmed that he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about the military plans.
Out of 251 hostages taken by Hamas in 2023, Israel believes 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 confirmed dead.