'We are not going to occupy Gaza': Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will not occupy Gaza but will instead demilitarise the territory and set up a peaceful civilian administration.

“We are not going to occupy Gaza – we are going to free Gaza from Hamas. Gaza will be demilitarised, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organisation. This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future,” Netanyahu posted on X.

Cabinet plan sparks political backlash

The remarks followed criticism over the Israeli Security Cabinet’s recent plan to take over Gaza City, which many said violates international law, worsens the humanitarian crisis, and undermines ceasefire efforts. Netanyahu’s office said the cabinet had approved a plan for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to take control of the city while providing humanitarian aid to people outside combat zones, calling it a move to “defeat Hamas.”

Opposition leaders condemned the decision, with Yair Lapid warning it was “a disaster that will lead to more disasters.” He accused National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of dragging Netanyahu into a costly and dangerous move that could “lead to the death of the hostages, the killing of many soldiers… and lead to a political collapse.”

Gaza City under relentless fire

Gaza City has been repeatedly bombarded and raided by Israeli forces, with militants regrouping after each operation. It remains one of the few areas in Gaza not turned into a buffer zone or fully evacuated. A major ground offensive there could displace tens of thousands and further disrupt food deliveries to the hunger-stricken territory.

At least 42 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes and shootings on Thursday, according to local hospitals. The war, triggered by Hamas-led militants’ October 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251, has so far left over 61,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Most hostages have been released, but 50 remain in Gaza, with about 20 believed to be alive.