Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that Israel will not annex the Gaza Strip, but will take control of the Palestinian enclave “for security reasons.” He plans to subsequently transfer the administration, currently under Hamas control, to a transitional government led by Arab forces.
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“We will do it to ensure our security, expel Hamas, free the population in Gaza, and transfer the government to a civilian administration, without the Islamist militia,” he stated in an interview with the American network Fox News.
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Netanyahu emphasized that Israel seeks to establish a “security perimeter,” not annex Gaza. He explained that the goal is to hand over control to Arab forces that govern without threatening Israel and improve the living conditions of Gazans, in response to questions from journalist Bill Hemmer.
In contrast, the chief of the Israeli Army, Eyal Zamir, reaffirmed that the military leadership will continue to express its position “without fear”, in an “objective, independent, and professional” manner, despite criticism for rejecting Netanyahu’s consideration of a total occupation of Gaza.
“We will continue to act with responsibility, integrity, and determination, prioritizing only the well-being of the State and its security,” Zamir stated during a meeting with senior military officials, as reported by the Israeli Army.
Zamir emphasized that the “culture of disagreement is an inseparable part of the history of the people of Israel” and that it is a vital component of the Defense Forces, both internally and externally. He stressed that it is not just a theory, but a matter of life or death and defense of the State.
In the last hours, tension has increased both in the military leadership and in the cabinet over the possibility that Netanyahu will announce a plan to fully occupy Gaza in a meeting this Thursday, a measure that Zamir rejects due to the situation of the hostages still held in the Palestinian enclave.
Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, defended the Chief of the Army, stating that “it is a right and a duty of the Chief of Staff to express his opinion,” although he affirmed that the final decisions will be made by the Government.
It is expected that the cabinet meeting will discuss the expansion of the offensive against Gaza, which could include the total occupation of the enclave, as Israeli media outlets reported earlier this week.