Washington: US President Donald Trump stated that Israel must determine its next course of action but emphasized that Hamas 'cannot stay' in Gaza. He made these remarks during a phone interview with Axios, discussing Israel's ongoing military actions in the region. Trump refrained from explicitly endorsing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's potential decision to occupy Gaza, yet expressed skepticism that Hamas would release hostages under the current conditions.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump commented that Israel needs to decide on their future steps and whether they will allow Hamas to remain in Gaza. However, he asserted that, in his opinion, Hamas 'cannot stay' in the territory. Netanyahu, on the other hand, announced on Sunday that his forces would occupy Gaza City 'fairly quickly' and expressed intentions to establish a 'civil administration' within the Palestinian enclave.
Netanyahu stated that Israel currently controls 70 to 75% of Gaza, with only two strongholds remaining, namely Gaza City and central camps in Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza. Last Friday, Israel's Security Cabinet approved Netanyahu's strategy to fully occupy Gaza City, which sparked significant international criticism from global governments and human rights organizations.
The Israeli Prime Minister outlined his plan to disarm Hamas, release all Israeli hostages, demilitarize Gaza, and impose Israeli security oversight, while establishing a non-Israeli civil administration. This plan includes creating a buffer zone along Gaza's border with Israel and appointing a civilian administration that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, though further details were not provided.
Since March 2, Israel has kept all Gaza crossings closed, obstructing aid convoys despite hundreds of trucks waiting at the border. Minimal aid has been allowed through, insufficient to prevent widespread famine. The World Food Program reports that one-third of Gaza's population has gone without food for several days, describing the hunger and desperation levels as 'unprecedented.' The UN estimates that hundreds of aid trucks must enter the area daily to alleviate the famine caused by the blockade and conflict.
Israel continues to face growing condemnation for its lethal campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in over 61,400 fatalities since October 2023. In a recent accusation, Israeli rights groups B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel charged Israel with genocide in Gaza, citing deliberate destruction of Palestinian society and the dismantling of the local healthcare system.
Furthermore, last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also confronting a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in the enclave.