Germany halts weapons exports to Israel as outrage grows over Gaza City plan
The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said some countries appeared to be putting pressure on Israel rather than on the militant group Hamas, whose deadly attack on Israel in 2023 ignited the war.
In Israel, opposition leaders and families of hostages held by militants in Gaza blasted Mr Netanyahu for a decision that they said would put hostages' lives at risk.
Far-right allies in the prime minister's coalition have been pushing for a total takeover of Gaza as part of Mr Netanyahu's vow to eradicate Hamas militants, though the military has warned this could endanger the lives of remaining hostages.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the decision to send Israeli forces into Gaza City a disaster, saying it defied the advice of military and security officials.
He accused far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of dragging Mr Netanyahu into a prolonged campaign that would result in the deaths of hostages and soldiers.
In an interview that aired on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu told Fox News's Bill Hemmer that the military intended to take control of all of Gaza. He said Israel did not want to keep the Gaza Strip, but to establish a 'security perimeter' and to hand over the territory to Arab forces.
The announcement from the prime minister's office early yesterday said the military would take Gaza City, but did not say whether Israeli forces would take the entire enclave.
Israel's cabinet is expected to endorse the Gaza City plan.
Where should we go? Do we throw ourselves in the sea?
Mr Netanyahu spoke with German chancellor Friedrich Merz yesterday to express disappointment over Berlin's suspension of weapons exports to Israel, the prime minister's office said.
Mr Netanyahu told the chancellor that Israel's goal was to 'free Gaza from Hamas' so that a peaceful government could be established there, and that Israel does not intend to take it over, the office added.
The military has said that it controls about 75pc of Gaza. Amir Avivi, a retired Israeli brigadier general, estimated that, if the military did take Gaza City, it would give Israel control of about 85pc of the Strip.
'Gaza City is the heart of Gaza. It's really the centre of government. It has always been the strongest and, even in the eyes of Hamas, the fall of Gaza City is pretty much the fall of Hamas,' he said. 'Taking over Gaza City is a game-changer.'
Israeli media said 900,000 people now live in Gaza City, including many who have been displaced by the military.
'Where should we go? Do we throw ourselves in the sea?' said Maghzouza Saada, a displaced Palestinian from Gaza's north.
There are 50 hostages still held in Gaza, 20 of whom Israeli officials believe are alive. Most of those freed so far were done so as a result of diplomatic negotiations. Talks towards a ceasefire that could have seen more hostages released collapsed last month.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen was among foreign leaders urging Israel to reconsider its decision to advance into Gaza City.
Regional power Saudi Arabia, which has said it could not normalise ties with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state, condemned any move to occupy Gaza.
Opinion polls have shown that a majority of Israelis believe Netanyahu should end the war
Asked in an interview with Reuters about criticism of Israel's plan, Mr Huckabee asked why some nations were 'once again' placing 'all the pressure on Israel' instead of on Hamas.
Mr Huckabee said US president Donald Trump was frustrated that Hamas is unwilling to reach 'any kind of reasonable settlement', adding that the president insists that the militant group cannot remain in power and must disarm.
Israel has already come under mounting pressure at home and abroad over the war in Gaza, including over the humanitarian disaster in the enclave. In recent weeks, Britain, Canada and France said they could recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly next month.
Opinion polls have shown that a majority of Israelis believe he should end the war immediately in a diplomatic agreement that would see the release of remaining hostages.
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