Netanyahu defends Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City, despite global condemnation : NPR

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his plan to take control of Gaza City and the remaining part of Gaza not yet under Israeli authority, a move that will involve displacing the population and asserting full control over the entire Gaza Strip.

Despite widespread protests against the plan, including from tens of thousands of Israelis and families of hostages in Gaza, Netanyahu remains determined to proceed. The plan, approved by Israel’s Security Cabinet, will require mobilizing a large number of reservists, many of whom have previously served in the conflict.

The families of hostages held in Gaza are also denouncing the move, demanding Netanyahu’s government strike a ceasefire deal with Hamas that frees the 50 or so hostages still held by militants, around 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.

Netanyahu, however, doubled down on the plan.

“Contrary to false claims, this is the best way to end the war and the best way to end it speedily,” he said in his first public comments since Israel’s Security Cabinet approved the plan.

The plan involves mass displacement of Palestinians in Gaza. Netanyahu said around 75% of Gaza is already under Israeli military control, and said Gaza City and central areas of the territory would be cleared of civilians. He said Israel will do so by enabling people “to safely leave the combat areas to designated safe zones.”

He said that there they would be given “ample food, water and medical care.” He did not say how Gaza’s population of 2 million people would be moved to these areas safely, where these zones would be, if they would be encircled by Israeli troops or any other details on the plan.

Israel is facing international criticism for the starvation in Gaza and what U.N.-backed experts say is an unfolding famine. People in Gaza City say there’s little reason for them to leave, and be displaced to the south of the territory again.

“I will end up on the street or in a tent. No, I’d rather die here more dignified than dying on the street,” said Saady Barakat, a 60-year-old resident of Gaza City, who like others who spoke with NPR said they have no means or plans to flee. In past displacement orders throughout the war, Israel has forcibly shut down hospitals and drastically restricted food in what critics described as a “starve or leave” policy.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, also laid out Israel’s long-term plan for the future of Gaza, reiterating points agreed by the Security Cabinet, which included the establishment of a “non-Israeli peaceful civil administration” in Gaza run neither by Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority, and Israel having “overriding security responsibility” for the entire territory.

“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza,” the prime minister said. “Our goal is to free Gaza, free it from Hamas terrorists.”