Netanyahu outlines ‘five principles for concluding the war’
Addressing the news media, Netanyahu repeats his pledge that Israel will oust Hamas from power and take over security control of Gaza, including by establishing a “security zone” on its boundary with Israel.
He put forward what he called “five principles for concluding the war”:
- Hamas disarmed
- All Israeli captives freed
- Gaza demilitarised
- Overriding Israeli security control established
- Peaceful non-Israeli civil administration in place
Netanyahu says Israel will attack remaining Hamas ‘strongholds’ in Gaza City, central Gaza camps
Continuing his remarks to the news media, Netanyahu says because Hamas has “refused to disarm”, Israel has “no choice” but to “complete the job and defeat” the group.
To do so, he said, Israel’s military will next tackle what he described as Hamas’s two “remaining strongholds” in the enclave: Gaza City and a swath of land in central Gaza that spans various refugee camps and al-Mawasi.
“This is the best way to end the war and the best way to end it speedily,” Netanyahu claimed after 22 months of conflict.
Netanyahu remains vague when asked about timeline for war
Asked about a timeline for Israel’s planned military operations in Gaza City and central Gaza, the prime minister says he expects them to be completed “fairly quickly”.
“I don’t want to talk about exact timetables,” he continued, before adding it would be the “best way” to end the war.
Netanyahu wraps up presser
While the UN Security Council session is under way, the Israeli prime minister’s news conference in Jerusalem has now come to an end. Here are some of his final comments:
- Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel, which has so far barred foreign journalists’ access to Gaza during the war, has instructed its military to “bring in” some.
- Israel is exploring “creative ways” to free the remaining Israeli captives alive as military operations continue in Gaza.
- Netanyahu has not yet spoken with US President Donald Trump since Israel’s cabinet approved the expanded war plan, but he intends to do so soon.
- The PM acknowledged there have been issues of “deprivation” in Gaza, but denied that Israel has a “starvation policy”.
