Jerusalem (EFE).- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel will not annex the Gaza Strip and that the enclave will instead be managed temporarily by a government body, whose nature he did not specify.
“We are not going to annex Gaza,” Netanyahu told Indian journalists in an impromptu press conference after meeting with India’s ambassador to Israel, J.P. Singh, in his office in Jerusalem, according to Israeli media reports.
The comments come just hours before Netanyahu convenes his security cabinet at 6:00 pm local time to discuss whether to launch a full military occupation of the devastated Palestinian territory.
Israeli media outlets have reported in recent days that Netanyahu is expected to propose an expansion of the ongoing military offensive, even into areas believed to house Israeli hostages, and potentially a full occupation of Gaza.
Despite hesitations from military leadership, Channel 12 News reported Thursday that Israeli forces are already preparing a multi-phase operation.
In the first phase, troops would seize Gaza City and force the displacement of roughly one million Palestinians currently concentrated in the northern area toward Mawasi in the south, which is already overwhelmed with displaced people.
A second phase would aim to capture refugee camps in central Gaza, areas where Israeli incursions have so far been limited.
Israeli authorities believe that living hostages may be held in these locations.
“We are committed to the destruction of Hamas and the return of all hostages,” Netanyahu reiterated.
Israel estimates that Palestinian militias still hold around 50 hostages, of whom only about 20 may still be alive.
The United Nations warned Wednesday that the implementation of Israel’s proposed plan would have “catastrophic consequences” for the civilian population in Gaza.
Since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble, with over 38,000 Palestinians reported dead, according to Gaza health authorities, and more than 1.7 million people displaced.
Israel’s government has yet to publicly outline a long-term strategy for governing Gaza if Hamas is removed.
However, Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized that Israel does not intend to remain in the enclave permanently. EFE
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