IDF renews offensive on Gaza City despite international criticism

Israel will conquer the entire Gaza Strip even if Hamas agrees to a hostage deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

The Israeli leader made his remarks after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced this week the first stage of an operation to seize Gaza City in the northern part of the densely populated Palestinian enclave, which it described as Hamas' stronghold.

Speaking to Sky News Australia on Thursday, Netanyahu stressed that the goal of expelling Hamas remains unchanged. "We're gonna do that anyway. There was never a question that we're not going to leave Hamas there," he said.

He cited the support of US President Donald Trump, who said earlier this month that Hamas "can't stay" in Gaza. "I think President Trump put it best, he says Hamas has to disappear from Gaza. It's like leaving the SS in Germany. You know, you clear out most of Germany, but you leave out Berlin with the SS and the Nazi core there," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu argued that the war "could end today" if Hamas agreed to release the remaining hostages, disarm, and "demilitarize Gaza." He dismissed international criticism as a "tsunami of anti-Semitism."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the Israeli offensive would lead to "massive death and destruction." The Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations have urged Israel to halt the operation as the official death toll of Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023 surpassed 62,000 this week.

The worsening humanitarian crisis has prompted several countries to consider formally recognizing the State of Palestine, including France, which has promised to do so next month.