'We are going to free Gaza,' says Netanyahu after global criticism over occupation plans

Following intensified criticism of Israel’s intentions to take control of the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that he does not plan to “occupy” Palestinian land, but rather to liberate it from Hamas.

The statement seems to be the result of severe global backlash, which surfaced after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had secured approval for occupation on Friday from its security cabinet. 

The apparoval will pave the way for “Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip” and the establishment of a new civilian administration to govern the enclave. 

The move sparked worldwide outrage; resultantly, Germany announced that it would suspend the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza over the humanitarian impact of Tel Aviv's latest military plans.

Similarly, China expressed “serious concerns” over Israel’s latest plan to take control of Gaza City, calling on Tel Aviv to halt its “dangerous actions”.

Read: Israeli security cabinet approves Netanyahu's plan to seize Gaza Strip

The global reaction prompted Israeli prime minister to clarify his position, saying he did not mean to seize Gaza, but he wanted the evacuation of military personnel from the Strip.

“We are not going to occupy Gaza, we are going to free Gaza from Hamas,” Netanyahu said in a post shared on X, hinting that his means of demilitarising was pushing out Hamas soldiers out of Gaza. 

“Gaza will be demilitarised, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organisation,” he added.

“This will help free our hostages and ensure Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future.”

We are not going to occupy Gaza - we are going to free Gaza from Hamas.

Gaza will be demilitarized, and a peaceful civilian administration will be established, one that is not the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas, and not any other terrorist organization.

This will help free…

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) August 8, 2025

Earlier, on July 25, the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, approved a non-binding motion in favour of annexing the West Bank.

The motion approved by the majority of 71-13 votes demands Israeli sovereignty over Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley. 

Israel believes the annexation will “strengthen the state of Israel, its security and prevent any questioning of the fundamental right of the Jewish people to peace and security in their homeland”.

It was proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, is symbolic in nature and carries no immediate legal consequences. However, it could prompt future parliamentary discussions on the topic of annexation.

The proposal was originally introduced last year by Israel’s far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich.