Netanyahu says new Gaza offensive to start soon

Netanyahu also expressed gratitude for Trump’s “steadfast support” in carrying out the plan.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just spoken with US President Donald Trump. The two discussed Israel's plans for taking control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza in order to bring about the end of the war, the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his steadfast support of Israel since the start of the war,” Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

Netanyahu said Israel planned to expand the number of aid distribution points in Gaza, but told local media: “There is no hunger. There was no hunger. There was a shortage, and there was certainly no policy of starvation.” Rejecting such claims as part of a “global campaign of lies,” he addressed foreign journalists ahead of an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting – a forum for expressing outrage but producing little action on the conflict.

“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza,” he declared, outlining aims to demilitarise the territory, ensure “overriding security control” by the Israeli military, and place governance in the hands of a non-Israeli civilian authority. He also said he had instructed the military to “bring in more foreign journalists” – a notable shift, as they have so far only been allowed in under military escort during the war.