Netanyahu defends his planned military offensive in Gaza
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel 'has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.'
He is speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem and defending a planned military offensive. He asserts that 'our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza.' He is also pushing back against what he calls a 'global campaign of lies' as condemnation of the plan grows both inside and outside Israel.
Netanyahu said there is a 'fairly short timetable' in mind for next steps in Gaza.
The goals there, he said, include demilitarizing Gaza, the Israeli military having 'overriding security control' there and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge.
The prime minister also said he had directed Israel's military in recent days to 'bring in more foreign journalists' — which would be a striking development as they have not been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds.
Netanyahu again blamed many of Gaza's problems on the Hamas militant group, including civilian deaths, destruction and shortages of aid.
Wafaa Shurafa, Sam Metz And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press
Metz reported from Jerusalem and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Tel Aviv, Israel.
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He has served as the Free Press's city hall and law courts reporter and has won several awards, including a National Newspaper Award. Read more about Kevin. Every piece of reporting Kevin produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
