Netanyahu: "Hamas Wants to Repeat the Atrocities - We Have No Intention of Controlling Gaza"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference today for foreign journalists, during which he declared that Israel has no intention of long-term control over the Gaza Strip. "Contrary to false claims, the policy throughout the war has been to prevent a humanitarian disaster. Gazans are begging us and the world - free us and free Gaza from Hamas," he said. On Germany, Netanyahu added: "The Chancellor has succumbed to pressure."

Netanyahu outlined Israel’s position on the situation in Gaza and the current course of action against Hamas. According to him, the objective is not to conquer Gaza, but to free it from the terrorists of Hamas.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Hamas holds thousands of armed militants in Gaza who continue to threaten regional security, vowing to repeat the atrocities of October 7th. "The truth is, Hamas has thousands of armed terrorists in Gaza, and the organization wants to repeat its horrors and do it again and again," Netanyahu said. He stated that Hamas enslaves the residents of Gaza, steals their food, and shoots those attempting to flee to safer areas.

Netanyahu expressed sympathy with the people of Gaza, stating that they are asking not only to free themselves but also to liberate Gaza from Hamas. "Gazans are begging us and the world - free us and free Gaza from Hamas," he said. He also clarified that no government would allow "a genocidal regime in Gaza" to continue operating as it does now.

The Prime Minister added that the war could end quickly if Hamas lays down its weapons and releases all the hostages. However, due to the organization’s refusal, Israel has no choice but to continue until Hamas is neutralized. He mentioned that the Cabinet has instructed the IDF to dismantle two key Hamas strongholds in Gaza and central refugee camps, while allowing civilians to leave the conflict zones to safe areas where food and medicine will be provided.

Furthermore, Netanyahu explained that after the fighting ends, a civilian government would be established in Gaza that would act against terrorism and would not promote education or attacks against Israel. Israel would be responsible for security, and security zones would be established along the borders to prevent future incursions.

Netanyahu clarified that Israel has delivered around 2 million tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza, an unprecedented amount in any military context, but accused Hamas of diverting the food and intentionally creating shortages. To illustrate his point, Netanyahu showed harrowing images of starving civilians, as well as photographs of the hostages.

The Prime Minister also presented his five principles for ending the war: "Gaza will be demilitarized, Israel will be responsible for security, and security zones will be established on the borders to prevent incursions. A civilian government will be appointed in Gaza that will seek to live in peace with Israel. The civilian government will not educate its children for terror, will not pay for terror, and will not launch terrorist attacks against Israel. It will not be Hamas and it will not be the Palestinian Authority."

In closing, Netanyahu noted that the purpose of the press conference was to expose the widespread lies circulating about Israel. "These lies are reminiscent of the false accusations leveled against Jews in the Middle Ages, when they were accused of spreading disease, poisoning wells, and slaughtering Christian children for their blood," he said. Even today, Netanyahu added, the Jewish state suffers from similar accusations intended to weaken it and spread misinformation around the world.