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Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Netanyahu says he wants Israel to take control of all of Gaza
By Alexander Cornwell, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Charlotte Greenfield 'We intend to,' Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News Channel's Bill Hemmer when asked if Israel would take over the entire coastal territory. 'We don't want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter. We don't want to govern it. We don't want to be there as a governing body.' He said Israel wanted to hand over the territory to Arab forces that would govern it. He did not elaborate on the governance arrangements or which Arab countries could be involved. Netanyahu made the comments to Fox News ahead of a meeting with a small group of senior ministers to discuss plans for the military to take control of more territory in Gaza. Israel's security cabinet approved a proposal from Netanyahu and the Israeli military will prepare to take control of Gaza City, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said on X, citing a statement by the prime minister's office. Ravid also cited an Israeli official as saying that a ground offensive will be carried out in Gaza City. Israeli officials described a previous meeting this week with the head of the military as tense, saying military chief Eyal Zamir had pushed back on expanding Israel's campaign. Two government sources said any resolution by the security cabinet would need to be approved by the full cabinet, which may not meet until Sunday. Among the scenarios being considered ahead of the security meeting was a phased takeover of areas in Gaza not yet under military control, one of the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Evacuation warnings could be issued to Palestinians in specific areas of Gaza, potentially giving them several weeks before the military moves in, the person added. Total control of the territory would reverse a 2005 decision by Israel by which it withdrew Israeli citizens and soldiers from Gaza, while retaining control over its borders, airspace and utilities. Right-wing parties blame that withdrawal decision for the militant Palestinian group Hamas gaining power there in a 2006 election. It was unclear whether Netanyahu was foreseeing a prolonged takeover or a short-term operation. Israel has repeatedly said it aims to dismantle Hamas and free Israeli hostages. Hamas in a statement called Netanyahu's comments 'a blatant coup' against the negotiation process. 'Netanyahu's plans to expand the aggression confirm beyond any doubt that he seeks to get rid of his captives and sacrifice them,' the statement said. Arab countries would 'only support what Palestinians agree and decide on,' a Jordanian official source told Reuters, adding that security in Gaza should be handled through 'legitimate Palestinian institutions.' Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera the group would treat any force formed to govern Gaza as an 'occupying' force linked to Israel. Earlier this year Israel and the United States rejected an Egyptian proposal, backed by Arab leaders, that envisaged the creation of an administrative committee of independent, professional Palestinian technocrats entrusted with the governance of Gaza after the war. Opinion polls show most Israelis want the war to end in a deal that would see the release of the remaining hostages. The White House had no immediate comment. President Donald Trump has declined to say whether he supported or opposed a potential full military takeover of Gaza by Israel. Netanyahu's government has insisted on total victory over Hamas, which ignited the war when it staged a deadly October 2023 attack on Israel from Gaza. The U.N. has called reports about a possible expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza ' deeply alarming ' if true. The idea, pushed especially by far-right ministers in Netanyahu's coalition, of Israeli forces moving into areas they do not already hold in the enclave has also generated alarm in Israel. PROTESTERS DEMAND END TO WAR Outside the prime minister's office in Jerusalem on Thursday evening, hundreds of demonstrators protested against an expanded war, demanding an immediate end to the military campaign in return for the release of all the hostages. Protesters held signs bearing the faces of hostages still held in Gaza and voiced deep frustration with the government's handling of the crisis. 'I'm here because I am sick and tired of this government. It's ruined our life,' said 55-year-old Noa Starkman, a Jerusalem resident who was born in a southern Israeli community close to where Hamas attacked in October 2023. The Hostages Families Forum, which represents captives held in Gaza, urged military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to oppose widening the war. Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the military would carry out the government's decisions until all war objectives were achieved. REMAINING HOSTAGES There are 50 hostages still held in Gaza, of whom Israeli officials believe 20 are alive. Most of those freed so far emerged as a result of diplomatic negotiations. Talks toward a ceasefire that could have seen more hostages released collapsed in July. A senior Palestinian official said Hamas had told Arab mediators an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza would lead to a resumption in ceasefire negotiations. Israeli officials accuse Hamas of seizing aid to hand to its fighters and to sell to finance its operations, accusations the militant group denies. Videos released last week of two living hostages showed them emaciated and frail, stirring international condemnation. Recent images of starving children from Gaza have also shocked the world and fuelled international criticism of Israel over the sharply worsening conditions in enclave. Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades but now controls only fragmented parts, insists any deal must lead to a permanent end to the war. Israel says the group has no intention of going through with promises to give up power afterwards. The Israeli military says it controls about 75% of Gaza. Most of Gaza's population of about 2 million has been displaced multiple times over the past 22 months and aid groups are warning that the enclave's residents are on the verge of famine. 'Where should we go? We have been displaced and humiliated enough,' said Aya Mohammad, 30, who, after repeated displacement, has returned with her family to their community in Gaza City. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Additional reporting by Steven Scheer in Jerusalem, Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman and Doina Chiacu and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Writing by Charlotte Greenfield; Editing by Mark Heinrich, Andrew Heavens, Frances Kerry, Hugh Lawson, Deepa Babington, Daniel Wallis, Lincoln Feast and Stephen Coates)
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Israeli PM plans for full occupation of Gaza
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a meeting of his security cabinet, to discuss the occupation of Gaza. Senior Correspondent for Reuters in Israel Alexander Cornwell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Israel's Netanyahu to convene security meeting on expanding Gaza war
By Alexander Cornwell and Nidal al-Mughrabi Netanyahu will convene the security cabinet following a three-hour meeting this week with the head of the military, which Israeli officials described as tense, saying the military chief had pushed back on expanding the campaign. Opinion polls show that most Israelis want the war to end in a deal that would see the release of the remaining hostages. Netanyahu's government has insisted on total victory over the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which ignited the war with its deadly October 2023 attack on Israel. The idea of Israeli forces pushing into areas it does not already control in the shattered Palestinian enclave has generated alarm in Israel. The mother of one hostage on Thursday urged people to take to the streets to voice their opposition to expanding the campaign. 'Someone who talks about a comprehensive deal doesn't go and conquer the Strip and put hostages and soldiers in danger,' Einav Zangauker wrote on X in comments directed at Netanyahu. The Hostages Families Forum, which represents captives held in Gaza, urged military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to oppose expanding the war and called on the government to accept a deal that would end bring the war to an end and free the remaining hostages. Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the military would carry out the government's decisions until all war objectives were achieved. Israeli leaders have long insisted that Hamas be disarmed and have no future role in a demilitarised Gaza and that the hostages be freed. The U.N. has called reports about a possible expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza ' deeply alarming ' if true. There are 50 hostages still held in Gaza, of whom Israeli officials believe 20 are alive. Most of those freed so far came about as a result of diplomatic negotiations. Talks toward a ceasefire that could have seen some hostages released collapsed in July. Videos released last week of two living hostages showed them as emaciated and frail, triggering international condemnation. Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades but now controls only parts of the territory, insists any deal must lead to a permanent end to the war, while Israel accuses the group of lacking sincerity about giving up power afterward. MULTIPLE DISPLACEMENTS The Israeli military says it controls about 75% of Gaza. Most of Gaza's population of about 2 million has been displaced multiple times over the past 22 months and aid groups are warning that the enclave's residents are on the verge of famine. 'Where should we go? We have been displaced and humiliated enough,' said Aya Mohammad, 30, who, after repeated displacement, has returned with her family to their community in Gaza City. 'You know what displacement is? Does the world know? It means your dignity is wiped out, you become a homeless beggar, searching for food, water and medicine,' she told Reuters. Close to 200 Palestinians have died of starvation in Gaza since the war began, nearly half of them have been children, according to Gaza's health ministry. Rabeeha Jamal, 65, a mother of six, has remained in her house in Gaza despite warnings in the past from the Israeli military to leave. For now, she said she intends to stay. 'Not until they force us if the tanks roll in, otherwise, I will not go running in the street to be killed later,' she said, calling for an end to the war. 'We don't have anywhere to go.' Netanyahu is under intense international pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement, but he also faces internal pressure from within his coalition to continue the war. Some far-right allies in his government have pushed for a full occupation of Gaza and for Israel to reestablish settlements there, two decades after it withdrew. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told reporters Wednesday that he hoped the government would approve the military taking control over the rest of Gaza. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages taken to Gaza in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israeli communities. More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's assault on Gaza, according to the Gaza health officials, who said that at least 20 people had been killed in air strikes across the territory on Thursday.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel's Netanyahu to convene security meeting on expanding Gaza war
Israel's Netanyahu to convene security meeting on expanding Gaza war By Alexander Cornwell and Nidal al-Mughrabi TEL AVIV/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was due to meet with a small group of senior ministers on Thursday to discuss plans for the military to take control of more territory in Gaza, despite mounting criticism at home and abroad over the nearly two-year-old war there. Netanyahu will convene the security cabinet following a three-hour meeting this week with the head of the military, which Israeli officials described as tense, saying the military chief had pushed back on expanding the campaign. Opinion polls show that most Israelis want the war to end in a deal that would see the release of the remaining hostages. Netanyahu's government has insisted on total victory over the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which ignited the war with its deadly October 2023 attack on Israel. The idea of Israeli forces pushing into areas they does not already control in the shattered Palestinian enclave has generated alarm in Israel. The mother of one hostage on Thursday urged people to take to the streets to voice their opposition to expanding the campaign. "Someone who talks about a comprehensive deal doesn't go and conquer the Strip and put hostages and soldiers in danger," Einav Zangauker wrote on X in comments directed at Netanyahu. The Hostages Families Forum, which represents captives held in Gaza, urged military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to oppose expanding the war and called on the government to accept a deal that would bring the war to an end and free the remaining hostages. Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the military would carry out the government's decisions until all war objectives were achieved. Israeli leaders have long insisted that Hamas be disarmed and have no future role in a demilitarised Gaza and that the hostages be freed. The U.N. has called reports about a possible expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza "deeply alarming" if true. There are 50 hostages still held in Gaza, of whom Israeli officials believe 20 are alive. Most of those freed so far came about as a result of diplomatic negotiations. Talks toward a ceasefire that could have seen some hostages released collapsed in July. A senior Palestinian official said Hamas had told Arab mediators that an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza would lead to a resumption in ceasefire negotiations. Israeli officials accuse Hamas of seizing aid to hand out to its fighters and to sell in Gazan markets to finance its operations, accusations that the militant group denies. Videos released last week of two living hostages showed them emaciated and frail, triggering international condemnation. Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades but now controls only parts, insists any deal must lead to a permanent end to the war. Israel says the group has no intention of going through with promises to give up power afterwards. MULTIPLE DISPLACEMENTS The Israeli military says it controls about 75% of Gaza. Most of Gaza's population of about 2 million has been displaced multiple times over the past 22 months and aid groups are warning that the enclave's residents are on the verge of famine. "Where should we go? We have been displaced and humiliated enough," said Aya Mohammad, 30, who, after repeated displacement, has returned with her family to their community in Gaza City. "You know what displacement is? Does the world know? It means your dignity is wiped out, you become a homeless beggar, searching for food, water and medicine," she told Reuters. Close to 200 Palestinians have died of starvation in Gaza since the war began, nearly half of them have been children, according to Gaza's health ministry. Rabeeha Jamal, 65, a mother of six, has remained in her house in Gaza despite warnings in the past from the Israeli military to leave. For now, she said she intends to stay. "Not until they force us, if the tanks roll in, otherwise, I will not go running in the street to be killed later," she said, calling for an end to the war. "We don't have anywhere to go." Netanyahu is under intense international pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement, but he also faces internal pressure from within his coalition to continue the war. Some far-right allies in his government have pushed for a full occupation of Gaza and for Israel to reestablish settlements there, two decades after it withdrew. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told reporters Wednesday that he hoped the government would approve the military taking control over the rest of Gaza. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages taken to Gaza in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israeli communities. More than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's assault on Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry, which said 98 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire across the enclave in the past 24 hours.
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Netanyahu meets security officials as Israel considers full Gaza takeover
By Alexander Cornwell and Nidal al-Mughrabi Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met senior security officials to finalize a new strategy for the nearly two-year war in Gaza, his office said on Tuesday, with media reporting he favored a complete military takeover of the Strip. Despite intense international pressure for a ceasefire to ease hunger and appalling conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave, efforts to mediate a truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas have collapsed. Local health authorities said at least 20 people were killed by Israeli gunfire as they waited for U.N. aid trucks in the northern Gaza Strip. In southern Gaza, 20 people were wounded by Israeli gunfire as they waited to get aid from U.N. aid trucks near Morag Square near Rafah, medics said. Eight more people died of starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours, Gaza's Health Ministry said, while at least 80 died in the latest Israeli firing. The prime minister's office said in a statement that Netanyahu had held a "limited security discussion" lasting about three hours during which military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir "presented the options for continuing the campaign in Gaza". An Israeli official had earlier told Reuters that Defence Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, would also attend the meeting to decide on a strategy to take to the cabinet this week. Israeli media reported on Tuesday that the cabinet would convene on Thursday at 6 p.m. Israel's Channel 12, citing an official from Netanyahu's office, had said the prime minister was leaning towards taking control of the entire territory. That would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw from Gaza, while retaining control over its borders, a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there. It was unclear, however, whether Netanyahu was foreseeing a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages. The prime minister's office declined to comment on the Channel 12 report. "It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel," Netanyahu told new recruits at a military base. "We are not giving up on any of these missions." The United Nations called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel's military operations throughout the Gaza Strip "deeply alarming" if true. The U.S. State Department declined to comment on reports regarding Israel's potential strategy. "I'm not going to speak to news reports or what another government is planning," department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told a briefing. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump discussed plans for the United States to significantly increase its role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza in a meeting Monday evening at the White House, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing two U.S. officials and an Israeli official with knowledge of the issue. Bruce also declined comment on the Axios report. On Saturday, Hamas released a video of Evyatar David, one of 50 hostages still held in Gaza, appearing emaciated in what seemed to be an underground tunnel. The images shocked Israelis and sparked international condemnation. Throughout the war, there has been sustained international pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages, of whom Israeli officials estimate 20 are still alive. Most hostages have been released during ceasefires following diplomatic negotiations. Israel broke the last ceasefire. PRESSURE TACTIC? A Palestinian official said the suggestion of a full takeover of Gaza may be a tactic to pressure Hamas into concessions, while the Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged foreign nations to take heed of the reports. "The ministry urges countries and the international community to treat these leaks with utmost seriousness and to intervene urgently to prevent their implementation, whether these leaks are meant to exert pressure, test international reactions, or are genuine and serious," it said. Israel's coalition government, the most right-wing and religiously conservative in its history, includes far-right politicians who advocate the annexation of both Gaza and the West Bank and encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland. Nearly two years of fighting in Gaza have strained the military, which has a small standing army and has had to repeatedly mobilise reservists. It has throughout the war pushed back against the idea of Israel fully occupying Gaza. In a sign of differences between some members of Israel's ruling coalition and the military, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on X challenged military head Zamir to state he would comply with government directives even if a decision was made to take all of Gaza. The statement from Netanyahu's office said the Israeli Defence Forces were "prepared to implement any decision that will be made by the Political-Security Cabinet." HUNGER The war was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and capturing 251 hostages. Israel's military response has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, killing more than 61,000 people - mostly civilians - according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel's campaign has forced nearly all of Gaza's more than 2 million people from their homes and caused what a global hunger monitor called last week an unfolding famine. Some 188 Palestinians, including 94 children, have died from hunger since the war began, according to Gaza authorities. An Israeli security official, in a briefing to reporters, acknowledged there may be hunger in some parts of Gaza but rejected reports of famine or starvation. On Tuesday, Israeli tanks pushed into central Gaza, but it was not clear if the move was part of a larger ground offensive. Palestinians living in the last quarter of territory where Israel has not yet taken military control - via ground incursions or orders for civilians to leave - said any new push would be catastrophic. "If the tanks pushed through, where would we go, into the sea? This will be like a death sentence to the entire population," said Abu Jehad, a Gaza wood merchant. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
