JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, he is determined to launch a recently approved plan to take over Gaza City, a move that has drawn wide internatio-
nal condemnation.
Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas,” he told a press conference for foreign media in Jerusalem.
“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza,” he said.
Netanyahu said that even if Hamas is “completely defeated,” Israel’s postwar plan includes maintaining security control over the enclave and full control of land between Gaza and Israel, where a “security zone” would be established.
Daily life in Gaza, he said, would be managed by a “civilian administration” under an international entity that is neither Israel nor the internationally recognized Palesti-
nian Authority.
He denounced what he called a “global campaign of lies” as condemnation of the plan increased worldwide and within Israel. He denied that Israel is deliberately starving Palestinians, despite evidence from photos, videos, local journalists, international physicians who have visited Gaza, United Nations experts and human rights groups.
On Sunday, at least five more people died from famine and malnutrition, according to Gaza health authorities. The authorities said the number of people killed by Israeli strikes has reached at least 61,430 since Oct. 7, 2023. / XINHUA
