Jerusalem, August 8 – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined a controversial post-war vision for Gaza: Israel will take full control of the territory, but he insists it has no intention of governing it. His remarks come at a tense moment, nearly two years into the war, with over two million people in Gaza on the brink of famine and hostages still held by Palestinian militants.
Speaking to US network Fox News, Netanyahu said Israel aims to establish a “security perimeter” in Gaza. “We don’t want to keep it. We don’t want to govern it,” he stressed. Instead, he suggested handing the territory over to “Arab forces” who could, in his view, ensure both Israeli security and a better life for Gazans – something he says is “not possible with Hamas.”
The statement comes amid growing domestic and international pressure on Netanyahu to secure a truce. Families of hostages have been pleading for an end to the fighting, fearing that further escalation will put their loved ones’ lives in greater danger.
On Thursday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem, urging the government to strike a deal. “The only way to bring the hostages home is to halt the war,” said demonstrator Sharon Kangasa-Cohen, her voice breaking with emotion.
Inside Gaza, residents brace for what an expanded Israeli offensive could bring. “Ground operations mean more destruction and death,” said Ahmad Salem, 45, who has already lost his home.
The humanitarian situation is dire. A UN-backed report has warned famine is setting in, with the World Health Organization reporting at least 99 deaths from malnutrition this year – likely an undercount. Food prices have soared beyond the reach of most families. “We can no longer afford these unrealistic costs,” said displaced father-of-three Mahmoud Wafi.
Aid remains scarce despite Israel’s partial easing of restrictions in late July. The UN says Gaza needs 600 truckloads of aid a day, yet only 70–80 trucks are getting through, often carrying limited goods after long inspections.
As shortages deepen, so does the toll of violence. On Thursday alone, Gaza’s civil defence reported at least 35 people killed in Israeli strikes. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 61,000 Palestinians have died since the war began. The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel killed 1,219 people.
While Netanyahu speaks of security, many on both sides speak of survival – and an urgent need for the guns to fall silent.
