Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel has no choice but to escalate its offensive in Gaza, as the country faces heightened criticism for its conduct amid the war in the territory. He stated that Israel has 70-75% of Gaza under Israeli control, but there are two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the Central Camps. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been instructed to dismantle these strongholds, arguing that this is the best way to end the war and speedily. Netanyahu argued that the Israeli military intends to take over Gaza and argued it was needed for his country’s security. On Friday, the Israeli government confirmed it would try to occupy Gaza City, one of the last remaining areas in the territory that had not already been evacuated or transformed into an Israeli buffer zone. Netanyahu’s office said that the prime minister had “just spoken with” President Trump, discussing Israel’s plans for taking control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza to bring about the end of the war, the release of the hostages, and the defeat of Hamas.
Netanyahu stated that Israel has no choice but to escalate its Gaza offensive. Enilsa Brown 17
