During a Security Council session, Mansour stated that “Israel’s goal is to kill Palestinians in Gaza,” asserting that it seeks to strengthen its military control over Gaza not to end Hamas’ rule but to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
He added that “Israel is not concerned about the fate of hostages in Gaza,” continuing, “The Israeli government’s decision to occupy Gaza confirms that it is not worried about the hostages’ fate in the sector.”
The Palestinian representative emphasized the “necessity to not merely condemn the illegal and unethical plans to occupy Gaza.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “Israel’s goal in the Gaza Strip is to establish a non-Israeli civilian administration not led by the movement or the Palestinian Authority.”
In a press conference, Netanyahu said, “Israel does not want to retain the sector nor govern it and will establish safe zones for Gaza residents to move to.”
He added, “The military operation is supposed to be short to end the war, and I cannot provide a timeline or exact details. We aim to maintain a fast timeframe for military operations in Gaza.”
Netanyahu further stated that “Israel has no choice but to complete the military mission in light of Hamas’ refusal to lay down its arms,” adding, “Israel has no option but to complete the mission and eliminate Hamas.”
The Israeli Prime Minister said that “he has offered the Palestinians a state many times,” insisting that they have “rejected it and many other offers.”
The Israeli mini-cabinet for security affairs approved a plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Friday, which calls for “control” over the city of Gaza.
A statement from Netanyahu’s office clarified that “according to this plan, preparations are underway to impose control over the city of Gaza, alongside providing humanitarian aid to civilians in areas outside the combat zone.”
The statement confirmed that “an overwhelming majority of government ministers considered the alternative plan” presented for the cabinet’s consideration “will not defeat Hamas nor return the hostages,” without providing further details.
