Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has argued that changing Palestinian society is essential for any lasting peace in Gaza. A major publication highlights his stance, noting that other conditions he cites include demilitarizing the area and dismantling Hamas, as steps toward stability in the region.
He emphasized that schools should teach children to value life and that religious leaders must avoid preaching violence toward Jews. He also called for transforming Palestinian civil society so that people support efforts against terrorism rather than financing it, presenting these changes as critical to reducing hostility and creating a more conducive environment for agreement.
Netanyahu proposed creating a temporary security corridor along Gaza’s edge and introducing inspections at the Egyptian border as measures to achieve demilitarization. He stressed that international involvement should be limited or avoided, arguing that local and regional actions would be more effective in stabilizing the area.
The regional tension intensified on October 7, when thousands of armed Hamas militants crossed into Israel from Gaza. In response, Netanyahu announced that Israel was at war, outlining a multi-phase operation aimed at repelling the assault, securing the release of more than 200 hostages, including foreign nationals, and degrading Hamas’ capabilities.
From the outset of the campaign, Israel launched major rocket strikes into the Gaza Strip while the National Security Council implemented restrictive measures, including halting water, food, border goods, electricity, and fuel supplies to the enclave in an effort to pressure Hamas and to degrade its operational capacity.
By late October, Israel disclosed plans to expand the ground offensive in Gaza. On November 5, IDF forces cut off Gaza City from its food supply as part of the ongoing ground operation. In early December, the third phase of the land campaign moved into the southern Gaza Strip, with forces surrounding the city of Khan Younis. These actions marked a sustained and intensified effort to control key corridors and reduce Hamas’ ability to operate across the territory.
Earlier remarks from Netanyahu outlined the stated objectives of Israel’s military effort in the conflict with Hamas. He framed the operations as necessary to neutralize the threat posed by Hamas, protect Israeli civilians, and press for the return of hostages while seeking to create conditions favorable to a broader security arrangement in the region.