Netanyahu’s Plan to Occupy Gaza: Details and Reactions
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Al Jazeera, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced early Friday that the cabinet agreed on a plan to take control of Gaza City within a comprehensive scheme for full occupation of the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu’s office added in a statement that the Israeli army is preparing to seize control of Gaza City while simultaneously providing what it termed humanitarian aid to civilians outside conflict zones.
The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that following approval of this plan, Netanyahu said: “The current form of operations in Gaza has failed and has not resulted in the return of military captives. Israel wants to defeat Hamas, not perpetuate it.”
Previously, Netanyahu told Fox News he did not intend for Israel to maintain direct control over the entire Gaza strip but planned rather to hand it over “to Arab forces who do not pose a threat to Israel.”
The Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom also reported that after 10 hours of debate and discussion, Israel’s cabinet approved Netanyahu’s proposal for occupying Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Broadcasting Corporation confirmed that this decision was made despite warnings from chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
