Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel “intends to take control” of the Gaza Strip in order to eliminate Hamas and install a civilian administration free from militant influence.
In an interview with Fox News ahead of a key Israeli security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the move is necessary to “ensure our security” and “liberate the people of Gaza” from Hamas. However, he maintained that Israel does not wish to govern the territory long-term, saying: “We don’t want to keep it… We don’t want to be there as a governing body.”
Israeli media reports suggest the government is weighing a phased reoccupation plan spanning up to five months. According to Channel 12, the first stage would involve the evacuation of Gaza City residents and the establishment of civilian infrastructure—such as field hospitals and camps—in central Gaza. A military offensive would follow, alongside a push for increased humanitarian aid and further displacement of residents toward the south.
The strategy, sources say, is aimed at dismantling remaining Hamas strongholds and pressuring the group to release hostages still believed to be held in the enclave.
The remarks have stoked international concern over Israel’s intentions for post-war Gaza. While Netanyahu emphasized that Israel seeks only a security buffer and not permanent control, critics fear a de facto occupation may deepen the humanitarian crisis and undermine prospects for Palestinian self-governance.
Nearly two years into the war, the Gaza Strip remains heavily bombarded, with over a million residents already displaced and infrastructure in ruins. The prospect of renewed large-scale offensives has raised alarm among aid agencies and regional observers alike.
