Netanyahu defends Gaza plan condemned at home and abroad

Calgary Herald

3 days ago

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his plan for a military sweep against the final Hamas strongholds in Gaza, calling it the best available option for recovering hostages while safeguarding his country's long-term security — an argument that's met vocal opposition at home and abroad.
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After talks on a third ceasefire stalled in July, the Netanyahu government on Friday authorized an advance on Gaza City. Israeli forces had previously skirted the area for fear that hostages believed to be held there could be hurt or lost in the chaos of combat.
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Though the army has yet to mobilize the reinforcements required to roll into action, the plan has drawn condemnation from foreign powers already upset at a hunger crisis besetting Palestinians in Gaza, after Israel cut off aid between March and May in a bid to sideline Hamas. The U.S., by contrast, has indicated readiness to back its Middle Eastern ally.
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Relatives of the hostages are calling for a general strike to protest the latest plans. At the other end of the political spectrum, far-right coalition parties are grumbling that the proposal, which Netanyahu says will defeat Hamas once and for all, doesn't go far enough.
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'Our goal is not to occupy Gaza. Our goal is to free Gaza — free it from Hamas terrorists,' Netanyahu told foreign reporters at a briefing on Sunday. 'Contrary to false claims, this is the best way to end the war.'
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In previous statements during the 22-month-old conflict, Netanyahu suggested victory was imminent. He struck a more cautious note on Sunday, declining to give a detailed timeline for advances on Gaza City and, later, on central townships that have also largely been spared incursions. The operations would be 'fairly quick' and prevent Israel from getting into a war of attrition with Hamas holdouts, he said.
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Twenty of the hostages, mostly taken during the Hamas incursions into Israel in October 2023, are believed to be still alive. Hamas has threatened to execute them rather than see them rescued. Their relatives also worry about the risk they could be killed in crossfire once new assaults ramp up.