Amid backlash, Netanyahu defends Gaza city plan: 'Not going to occupy, will free it from Hamas'

Netanyahu

Israel’s strategy to seize control of Gaza City, expanding its military operations in the devastated Palestinian territory, has sparked widespread criticism domestically and internationally, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to defend the decision.

The Israeli military, under a plan approved by Netanyahu’s security cabinet, will move to “take control” of Gaza City, igniting a strong backlash on Friday from various quarters.

Amid such pressure, Netanyahu once again defended his plan for Gaza City, saying on X, “We are not going to occupy Gaza — we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.”

We are not going to occupy Gaza - we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.

Gaza will be demilitarized, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organization.

This will help free…

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) August 8, 2025

Israel announced plans to escalate its nearly two-year conflict with Hamas by moving to take control of Gaza City. A source familiar with the strategy indicated that the operation would unfold “gradually,” though no specific timeline has been set, according to news agency AFP.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the Cabinet had endorsed “five principles” guiding the campaign, which include demilitarising Gaza and establishing a new civil administration that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

As part of the approved plan aimed at “defeating” Hamas, the Israeli military will prepare to assume control of Gaza City while ensuring the distribution of humanitarian aid to civilians in areas outside of combat, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office released on Friday.