Entire Gaza Strip Will Be Under Israeli Control ‘In The End’: Netanyahu

Israel‘s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the entire Gaza Strip will come under Israeli military control “in the end” of the current offensive, setting uncompromising terms for ending the war in his first press conference since December.

The renewed offensive has intensified in recent days, with at least 82 Palestinians killed since Wednesday morning and hundreds more in recent strikes.

Amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis, starvation is spreading as only a trickle of aid trucks is being allowed through the blockade.

Temporary Ceasefire

Netanyahu said Israel would consider a temporary ceasefire and a hostage exchange deal if the opportunity arises, but he emphasised that key conditions must be met to end the war.

These include the release of all hostages, the complete disarmament of Hamas, the removal of its leadership, and the potential implementation of a controversial plan previously outlined by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which proposes removing Palestinians from Gaza.

Netanyahu Endorses Trump Plan

This marks the first time Netanyahu has publicly cited Trump’s February plan—widely condemned by human rights organisations and foreign governments as ethnic cleansing—as part of Israel’s war objectives. Trump has suggested the U.S. should take over Gaza and turn it into a tourism hub dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Netanyahu also insisted on limiting humanitarian aid to prevent what he called a “humanitarian crisis that impairs our operational freedom,” while pointing to a U.S.-backed aid distribution plan that bypasses Hamas, which the Palestinian group denies interfering with.

Hamas Leader ‘Probably’ Killed

PM Netanyahu said Israel has “probably” killed Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar.

Earlier this month, an Israeli air strike on a hospital in southern Gaza targeted Sinwar, but his death had not so far been confirmed either by Israel or Hamas.

No Rift With Trump

Netanyahu also dismissed speculation of a falling out with the U.S. administration following a visit to the Gulf by U.S. President Donald Trump that left out Israel.

Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates hauled in a series of big-ticket business deals but fuelled widespread media commentary pointing out that Israel, Washington’s closest ally in the region, had not been included.

The visit followed Trump’s decision to end a U.S. bombing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen even as the Iranian-backed group continued to fire missiles at Israel and to seek nuclear talks with Iran.

Netanyahu, who had previously made no public comment on the issue, told reporters at a news conference that he had spoken to Trump around 10 days ago and the president had told him: “‘Bibi I want you to know, I have a complete commitment to you and I have a complete commitment to the state of Israel.'”

International Pressure Mounts

Amid growing international pressure on Israel, Trump has urged a quick end to the war in Gaza and spoken of the suffering of civilians in the besieged enclave, where an 11-week Israeli aid blockade has created a deep humanitarian crisis.

In a separate conversation a few days ago, Netanyahu said U.S. Vice President JD Vance had told him: “‘Don’t pay attention to all these fake news stories about this rupture between us'”.

(With inputs from IBNS & Reuters)