by andreas rogal  & EuroNews with AP
It’s published
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete Hamas defeat.
Speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem on Sunday, he defended the planned military attack. He argues, “Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to liberate Gaza.” He was also against what he called a “a global campaign of lies” as the plan’s criticism grew both inside and outside Israel.
Netanyahu said he has a “quite short timetable” in mind for his next step in Gaza.
The goals there include accusations of Israeli forces, where security controls are the top priority, and Gaza, which is handled by non-Israel civilian governments, he said.
The prime minister also said he recently directed the Israeli military to “invite more foreign journalists.” This will be a significant development as it is not permitted to enter Gaza beyond military embedding.
“Whatever you need to protect our country.”
Netanyahu again condemned many of the issues of Gaza regarding Hamas’ militant groups, including civilian death, destruction and lack of aid.
Asked by a German journalist about Prime Minister Friedrich Merz’s recent decision to halt exports of military equipment available to Gaza “until further notice,” Netanyahu replied.
“I respect Friedrich Merz. He was a good friend of Israel, but I think he’s buckled. He leaned under false TV reports or internal pressure from different groups. I can talk about him. And I don’t want to say this.
General strike urged over the looming attacks of Gaza city in Israel
The prospect of expanding the war has sparked rage both internationally and within Israel. There, still hostage relatives in Gaza urged businesses to declare a general strike next week.
Tens of thousands of Israelis Gathered in Tel Aviv On Saturday night, what local media called it one of the biggest anti-government protests in recent months.
The family and their supporters want to pressure the government to reverse their decision to take over Gaza city, warning that expanding the war will put their loved ones at risk.
Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, and of the 251 remaining in Gaza, 20 were believed to be alive.
Also on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz toured the northern part of the Israeli tribe’s west shore. He said Israeli troops will remain in refugee camps in the area until at least the end of the year.
This year, the largest evacuation since Israel acquired the West Bank in 1967, has driven around 40,000 Palestinians out of their homes. Israel says operations are needed to push out the militants as violence from all sides has skyrocketed since Hamas’ attacks sparked the war in Gaza.