Don’t want to occupy or annex Gaza, says Netanyahu

Israel does not want to annex or occupy Gaza and its sole aim is to destroy Hamas and hand over the strip to a transitory government. This was stated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday. He also said Israel wanted to take control of Gaza's security after ending the war as soon as possible.

In an interaction with a group of visiting Indian journalists, Netanyahu said over two million tonnes of food was sent to Gaza, but the supplies were “interdicted”. His comments came amid increasing international criticism of his government over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as around 60,000 people were killed in the Israeli military offensive in the last 22 months.