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The PM made it clear that the war's primary objectives remain the complete destruction of Hamas and the return of all Israeli hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has laid out his strategic vision for the ongoing conflict in Gaza, outlining both the immediate goals of the war and the plan for the territory’s future. Netanyahu directly addressed international concerns, stating that Israel “will not annex Gaza" and intends to eventually hand it over to a transitional governing body.

The PM made it clear that the war’s primary objectives remain the complete destruction of Hamas and the return of all Israeli hostages. He emphasised that the conflict could end swiftly, possibly “tomorrow", if Hamas were to lay down its arms and release the captives unconditionally.

As part of the post-war plan, Netanyahu revealed that a “security perimeter" would be established within Gaza to prevent future threats. This move, he explained, is a necessary measure to ensure that Gaza can no longer pose a security risk to Israel. The Prime Minister’s vision for a post-Hamas Gaza is one where the territory is not under Israeli control but is managed by a new authority, signalling a desire to avoid a long-term military occupation while still securing Israel’s borders.

Netanyahu also stressed the importance of humanitarian considerations, stating that “innocents must be separated from Hamas". This highlights a key challenge in the conflict: the difficulty of targeting a militant organisation that operates from within densely populated civilian areas. His statements aim to delineate between the civilian population of Gaza and the Hamas leadership, which Israel holds responsible for the initial attacks and the continuation of the war.

About the Author

Zakka Jacob is the Managing Editor of CNN-News18 and writes extensively on Indian and global politics. He tweets at @Zakka_Jacob.

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