Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a rare press briefing for international journalists on Sunday, outlining his strategy for continuing the fight against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and pushing back against what he called a “global campaign of lies” regarding Israel’s military conduct. His comments came as international criticism of Israel’s actions grows, nearly two years into the conflict.
Addressing local media later in a separate, extended Hebrew-language press conference, Netanyahu said he wished to see the Gaza war conclude as quickly as possible. However, he maintained that the recently approved plan to escalate operations and seize Gaza City was essential to securing the release of the roughly 50 hostages still being held in the enclave.
While his cabinet’s decision has drawn concern from both Israeli security officials and families of the captives—who fear it could endanger the hostages—Netanyahu argued that an Israeli military takeover would actually facilitate their freedom. He reiterated that Israel had no intention of long-term occupation, envisioning instead a future Palestinian-run “civilian administration” in Gaza that would not pose a threat to Israel.
Netanyahu sharply criticized international outlets for amplifying claims of famine in Gaza, asserting that the allegations were part of a Hamas-driven disinformation campaign. He said that three widely reported examples of supposed Israeli-induced starvation had been proven false, offering specifics on each case.
The prime minister also rejected the notion—supported by some world leaders—that establishing a Palestinian state could bring stability to the region, calling it “absurd” and contending that Palestinian political movements were aimed at destroying Israel, not building their own state.
In addition, Netanyahu accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of yielding to domestic and international pressure in imposing a partial arms embargo on Israel.
The war could end tomorrow
Opening the first, English-language press conference at his Jerusalem office with a prepared statement, Netanyahu said he had convened it “to puncture the lies and tell the truth.”
Netanyahu stated that Israel’s objective was not to take control of Gaza, but to liberate it from Hamas militants. He added that the conflict could be brought to an immediate end if Hamas surrendered its weapons and freed all remaining hostages.
Outlining his five-point vision for Gaza after the war, Netanyahu said the territory would be demilitarized, with Israel maintaining overriding security control. A security buffer zone would be created along Gaza’s border with Israel to prevent future militant attacks, and a civilian administration—one willing to coexist peacefully with Israel—would be put in place.
“That’s our plan,” he said. “With Hamas refusing to disarm, Israel has no choice but to see the mission through and ensure its total defeat.”
Netanyahu dismissed the Palestinian Authority as a viable partner for governing Gaza in the aftermath of the conflict, accusing it of encouraging terrorism against Israel. Speaking later in Hebrew to local media, he argued that the PA ultimately shared Hamas’s objective of destroying Israel—pursuing it by pressuring international bodies such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court to force Israel back to “indefensible borders” before moving to attack.
Netanyahu said the IDF had been instructed “to dismantle the two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps.” Israel will begin the plan “by first enabling the civilian population to safely leave the combat areas to designated safe zones. In these safe zones, they’ll be given ample food, water, and medical care,” he said.
“Hamas has deceived us, which has convinced me that the only way to secure the release of all our hostages is to defeat Hamas,” Netanyahu stated.
Still, he emphasized his desire to end the war swiftly, explaining that he has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to accelerate their timeline for taking control of Gaza City, though he did not provide further details. “I have no intention of allowing Hamas to continue — my goal is to destroy them. I will not leave those monsters in place,” he declared.
He described last week’s cabinet approval to seize Gaza City as “the first step” toward the complete military defeat of Hamas. “Once the central stronghold—the last major Hamas fortress in Gaza—is captured, the organization will collapse,” he argued, adding, “I believe Hamas understands this as well.”
Netanyahu acknowledged that even after Gaza City falls, another operation will be necessary to clear out the central Gaza refugee camps, but he refrained from sharing specifics to avoid alerting Hamas.
Responding to humanitarian concerns, he asserted, “Throughout this conflict, our policy has been to prevent a humanitarian crisis, while Hamas’s policy has been to create one.”
Turning to allegations that the IDF enforced a starvation policy in Gaza, Netanyahu insisted that Israel allowed sufficient aid in throughout the war, while Hamas has disrupted aid flow and the United Nations has failed to properly distribute it.
