AhlulBayt News Agency: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to take control of the entire Gaza Strip, as the Israeli military expands its offensive in the besieged territory.
In a video posted to his Telegram channel, Netanyahu stated: “The fighting is intense, and we are making progress. We will take control of all the territory of the Strip.”
He emphasized that Israel “must act in a way that cannot be stopped” to achieve this goal.
Netanyahu also acknowledged that the decision to allow a limited number of aid trucks into Gaza—the first in nearly two months—was made to avoid international backlash.
“We must not let the population of Gaza sink into famine, both for practical and diplomatic reasons,” he said.
Netanyahu revealed that close allies, including pro-Israel US senators, had urged him to permit some aid deliveries to prevent images of mass starvation, which could undermine international support.
“Our best friends in the world, senators who are passionate supporters of Israel, came to me and said they would provide all the assistance needed to achieve victory: weapons, backing for eliminating Hamas, and protection at the UN Security Council,” Netanyahu stated.
“But there’s one thing they said they cannot support: images of mass starvation. ‘We cannot stand by you in that situation,’ they told me. So, in order to achieve victory, we must address that problem,” he added.
Backing Netanyahu’s decision, far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said it would allow Israel’s allies to continue providing diplomatic protection against the UN Security Council and the Hague Court.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing more than 53,000 Palestinians so far, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
In January, Israel was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with Hamas after failing to achieve its objectives, including the elimination of the Palestinian resistance movement and the release of captives.
The 42-day truce, which was repeatedly violated by Israel, expired on March 1, but Israel has refused to engage in talks for a second stage of the agreement.
On March 18, Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza, breaking the nearly two-month-long ceasefire
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