Netanyahu Defends Gaza City Offensive as Key to Defeating Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined a five-point plan to seize Gaza City and defeat Hamas, emphasizing that Israel's objective is to free Gaza rather than occupy it. His plan includes disarming Hamas, freeing all hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining Israeli security control, and establishing a non-Israeli civilian administration. Netanyahu insists the operation will be conducted swiftly, focusing on Hamas strongholds while evacuating civilians to secure areas, but he did not provide a detailed timeline. Despite his insistence on the necessity of the offensive, Netanyahu faces mounting international criticism and warnings, including comparisons of the campaign to a prolonged conflict like Vietnam, as well as concerns about humanitarian impacts and the safety of hostages. He also rejected the Palestinian Authority as a governing partner, accusing it of supporting terrorism, and accused critics of spreading falsehoods about the situation in Gaza. As Israel prepares for the next phase of its military campaign, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's readiness to continue the fight regardless of external support.