Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that his country will conquer the entire Gaza Strip even if Hamas accepts the ceasefire deal. He made these comments after Israel's defence forces announced the start of the first phase of the operation to seize what it described as a Bastion of Hamas in the north.
On Thursday evening, Netanyahu stressed that the goal of finishing Hamas remains unchanged. “We’re going to do that anyway. There was never a question that we’re not going to leave Hamas there,” he said.
He said US President Donald Trump was in his corner for finishing Hamas. Trump earlier this month said that Hamas 'can’t stay' in Gaza Netanyahu added, “I think President Trump put it best; he says Hamas has to disappear from Gaza. It’s like leaving the SS in Germany."
He drew parallels between Nazi Germany and Gaza, saying it would be foolish to conquer everything but leave the centre for the enemies.
Also Read: Israel has no intensions to re-occupy Gaza says Netanyahu
Meanwhile, there has been growing international criticism over Israel’s illegal plans to reoccupy the Gaza Strip. In that context, France has been a vocal critic of Israel's policies in Gaza. The French foreign ministry, during a recent statement, said that Israel is violating international law by openly threatening to annexe Gaza and the West Bank.
However, Netanyahu has also accused Macron of fuelling anti-Semitism. Netanyahu argued that the war “could end today” if Hamas agreed to release the remaining hostages, disarm, and “demilitarise Gaza”. He dismissed international criticism as a “tsunami of anti-Semitism.”
The Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations have urged Israel to halt the operation, as the official death toll of Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023 surpassed 62,000 this week. France, Australia, Spain, and some 21 more nations are likely to recognise the independent Palestinian state in September.
Also Read: Israeli protesters warn Netanyahu over Gaza re-occupation plan
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