Netanyahu says Israel will control all of Gaza Strip at end of current military offensive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that the war on Gaza will persist until Hamas is disarmed and the Palestinian territory is entirely under Israeli control.The Israeli premier laid out some of his conditions to bring the war that started in October 2023 to an end.“I am ready to end the war but with clear conditions that will ensure Israel’s security. All the hostages return home, Hamas hands over its weapons and leaves power,” said Netanyahu at a press conference in Jerusalem.Netanyahu noted that Hamas’ leadership must all leave Gaza and Israel must ensure that the enclave is free of weapons. He also asserted that after all these conditions are met, Israel will move ahead and proceed with Trump’s proposed plan for the future of Gaza.We [will] implement (President) Trump’s plan, it is a good plan and makes a difference and it means something very simple, that the residents of Gaza who want to leave can leave.”Trump had previously floated the idea of resettling all of Gaza’s population in order for the US to “take ownership” of the land. The proposal was met with widespread regional and international disapproval, with many countries insisting that Gaza is Palestinian and should remain for the Palestinians.