Netanyahu: Gaza Population to Be Moved in Intensive Israeli Operation
5/6/2025 9:20:00 AM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that a new offensive in the besieged Gaza Strip will be an intensive military operation aimed at defeating Hamas, but stopped short of detailing just how much of the enclave’s territory would be seized.
In a Hebrew-language video message on X, addressing the Security Cabinet-approved plan to expand the Gaza offensive, Netanyahu said on Monday that Gaza’s Palestinian population “will be moved, for its own protection”.
Eighteen months of Israeli attacks have killed more than 52,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including thousands of children, and wounded nearly 120,000 others.
Netanyahu also said Israeli soldiers would not go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. “The intention is the opposite of that,” he said.
His remarks come as Israel’s political and military leaders approved plans to expand the Gaza offensive and take over aid deliveries to the devastated and starving enclave.
Netanyahu’s cabinet unanimously approved plans to call up reservists and put the Israeli military in charge of food and other vital supplies to the 2.3 million people suffering under its blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Newswires reported unnamed Israeli officials suggesting that the plans include the “conquest” and full military occupation of the entire Gaza Strip.
The expanded offensive “could go as far as seizing the entire enclave”, the Reuters news agency reported.
“The plan will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection,” a source told the AFP news agency.
The source added that Netanyahu “continues to promote” United States President Donald Trump’s plan for the departure of Palestinians from the enclave.
In a Hebrew-language video message on X, addressing the Security Cabinet-approved plan to expand the Gaza offensive, Netanyahu said on Monday that Gaza’s Palestinian population “will be moved, for its own protection”.
Eighteen months of Israeli attacks have killed more than 52,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including thousands of children, and wounded nearly 120,000 others.
Netanyahu also said Israeli soldiers would not go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. “The intention is the opposite of that,” he said.
His remarks come as Israel’s political and military leaders approved plans to expand the Gaza offensive and take over aid deliveries to the devastated and starving enclave.
Netanyahu’s cabinet unanimously approved plans to call up reservists and put the Israeli military in charge of food and other vital supplies to the 2.3 million people suffering under its blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Newswires reported unnamed Israeli officials suggesting that the plans include the “conquest” and full military occupation of the entire Gaza Strip.
The expanded offensive “could go as far as seizing the entire enclave”, the Reuters news agency reported.
“The plan will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection,” a source told the AFP news agency.
The source added that Netanyahu “continues to promote” United States President Donald Trump’s plan for the departure of Palestinians from the enclave.