(NewsNation) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Fox News that Israel does intend to take control of the Gaza Strip to remove Hamas.
Netanyahu referred to the plan as one to “liberate” the people of Gaza and said it would “enable the population to be free of Hamas.”
He also said the ultimate plan would be to turn over authority to a civilian government.
His statements come after ceasefire talks faltered. The U.S. recently pulled out of the negotiations, with special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of acting in bad faith.
Recent photos showed the extent of destruction in Gaza following an Israeli military campaign that began in October 2023 after Hamas launched an attack on Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken.
Humanitarian groups have warned of mass starvation due to the destruction and reduction of aid getting through to the territory, which has been under Israeli blockade since 2007.
Netanyahu will have to take the proposal to his security council, which is set to convene Thursday evening.
Expanding Israeli presence in Gaza would come as the global community has put pressure on Israel to end the campaign. It would also come after the United Kingdom, France and Canada announced they would recognize a Palestinian state, something most Western countries have not done.
Earlier in the year, President Donald Trump suggested a vision for Gaza that would include the U.S. taking control of the territory, permanently relocating Palestinian residents and turning the area into one populated with resorts.
Just days ago, Trump stated that it would be up to Israel to decide how much of Gaza it wanted to control, a signal that the U.S. would not work to stop Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip.
Around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, held by Hamas, though many of them are believed to be no longer alive. Families fear that those who are alive could be harmed by Hamas if Israeli military action increases.
Netanyahu did not offer details of the plan, including the actions Israel would take militarily to gain control of the Gaza Strip or how long an occupation could be expected to last.
