Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that the new offensive in Gaza would be an intensive military operation aimed at defeating "Hamas", but did not specify exactly how much of the Palestinian territory would be captured, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
"The population will be relocated to be protected," Netanyahu said in a video posted on the social network "Ex". He said Israeli troops would not enter Gaza just to carry out targeted operations and then withdraw.
"The intention is the opposite of that", the Israeli prime minister said, referring to his plan for a permanent presence of the Israeli army in the strip.
Israel is leaving a window open until mid-May for negotiations on the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip as Israeli troops prepare for a new large-scale campaign aimed at defeating "Hamas," Agence France-Presse reported, citing a senior Israeli security official.
He explained that the preparation of the Israeli armed forces before the start of the campaign would ensure that an agreement on the release of the hostages based on a plan proposed by Washington could be reached by the end of US President Donald Trump's tour of the Middle East. Trump is scheduled to visit the region from May 13-16.
The European Union today expressed concern about the Israeli security cabinet's plans to take control of the Gaza Strip and maintain this military control over the territory for an indefinite period of time, DPA reported.
"The European Union is concerned by the extension of these operations in Gaza, which will lead to new casualties and additional suffering for the Palestinian population," an EU spokesman told reporters in Brussels. "The EU urges Israel to refrain," he added, reiterating the bloc's position "that negotiations are the only way, the only way forward for the return of the hostages and the cessation of all hostilities." The EU also called on Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza and allow "immediate access for humanitarian aid, as well as the restoration of electricity to Gaza and essential services." "The Palestinian population has suffered enough in recent years and it is time to end the violence and suffering," the spokesman said.