Gaza latest: Netanyahu defends plan to occupy Gaza City as UN warns of ‘calamity'
In a rare press conference, Netanyahu said Israel had 'no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas'.
He denied there was starvation in Gaza, calling it a 'global campaign of lies', even as international fury appeared to be growing over a soaring hunger crisis, forced displacement, killings, and destruction.
Israel faced sharp criticism at the UN on Sunday as the UK, Russia, China, France and other nations condemned Netanyahu's Gaza occupation plan, warning it would violate international law.
Netanyahu discussed his plan with Donald Trump on Sunday, with the US president saying Israel had the right to decide what was best for its security.
This came as Israeli forces killed five Al Jazeera journalists reporting from Gaza in what the broadcaster denounced as a "targeted assassination" and "yet another blatant and premeditated attack on press freedom".
Defiant Netanyahu vows to 'finish the job' in planned takeover of Gaza
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel 'has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas', as he addressed foreign media in Jerusalem.
Defending a planned military offensive, Mr Netanyahu asserted that 'our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza'. He also pushed back against what he called a 'global campaign of lies' amid growing condemnation of the plan both inside and outside Israel.
Mr Netanyahu remarked that chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, one of Israel's strongest backers, had 'buckled under' by announcing that Germany won't authorise exports of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza until further notice.
The prime minister outlined a 'fairly short timetable' for the next steps in Gaza.
He stated that Israel's objectives include demilitarising the territory, ensuring the Israeli military has 'overriding security control', and establishing a non-Israeli civilian administration.
In a striking development, Mr Netanyahu revealed he had recently directed Israel's military to 'bring in more foreign journalists'.
This marks a significant shift, as foreign media have not typically been allowed into Gaza beyond military embeds.
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The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
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The Guardian
20 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Don't believe the hype about nuclear weapons
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Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Reuters
Mothers of Gaza hostages fear Israeli offensive will endanger their sons
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