Netanyahu Outlines Israel’s ‘Final Goals’ in Gaza War Against Hamas
PM Netanyahu outlined Israel's endgame: dismantling Hamas rule, stripping Gaza's arms capacity, and maintaining Israeli security oversight while establishing new governance. He denied starvation tactics, blaming Hamas for aid disruptions.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the ultimate objective of the ongoing war in Gaza is to dismantle Hamas’ rule, disarm the enclave, and ensure Israel’s long-term security.
Speaking to Newsmax on Wednesday, Netanyahu said the war’s final aim is “to liberate Gaza from Hamas’ tyranny” and to secure the release of all hostages. He detailed three core goals: compelling Hamas to lay down its weapons, stripping Gaza of the capacity to import or manufacture arms, and establishing Israeli “supreme security control” alongside a transitional authority that promotes peaceful governance free from pro-terrorist elements.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s priority is not the destruction of Gaza itself, despite possessing the military capability to “wipe Gaza off the map.” He asserted that Israel could have targeted the territory as the Allies did Dresden during World War II or resorted to starvation tactics, “but this is not our goal.”
Instead, he stressed that the primary mission is to “eliminate Hamas and its terrorist regime” while continuing costly operations that have claimed the lives of “very brave soldiers.” He noted that Israel’s military efforts are now focused on ending Hamas’ control over two remaining strongholds — Gaza City and the so-called central camps along the coast.
Earlier on Wednesday, Netanyahu accused Hamas of committing genocide in Gaza. Speaking at a U.S. Independence Day reception in Jerusalem, he rejected allegations that Israel is pursuing starvation policies against Gaza’s population, insisting that “Hamas steals aid, kills relief workers, and causes supply shortages.”
“If Israel’s goal had been to starve Palestinians, everyone in Gaza would have died nearly two years into the war,” Netanyahu said.
Highlighting what he described as significant military achievements, Netanyahu said Israel has scored “great victories” not only against Hamas, but also against Hezbollah, the Assad regime in Syria, Iran, and other regional proxies.
He credited these results to “the extraordinary work” of the Israel Defense Forces, Mossad, and Shin Bet, each operating within its domain and coordinating across all branches.
