Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the conflict in Gaza will end once Hamas is disarmed and hostages are freed, unveiling a five-point plan for the territory’s future while accusing international media of spreading “Hamas lies.”
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Hamas still has “thousands of armed terrorists” in Gaza who are committed to repeating the 7 October attacks and destroying Israel. He alleged that the group oppresses Gaza’s population, steals aid, and prevents civilians from reaching safe zones.
“Our goal is not to occupy Gaza,” he said. “Our goal is to free Gaza from Hamas terrorists.”
Netanyahu outlined a post-war vision based on five principles: the disarmament of Hamas, the release of all hostages, Gaza’s demilitarisation, Israel’s overriding security control, and the establishment of a non-Israeli civilian administration that does not promote or fund terrorism.
The prime minister said Israeli forces now control 70 to 75 percent of Gaza, with two remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza City and the central camps. He confirmed that the Israeli Security Cabinet has instructed the military to dismantle these positions while moving civilians to designated safe zones and providing food, water, and medical aid.
Addressing accusations of starvation in Gaza, Netanyahu said Israel has allowed nearly two million tonnes of aid into the territory since the war began, blaming Hamas for looting supplies and the UN for delays in distribution. He presented photographs that he said disproved media claims of famine, accusing outlets such as the New York Times of publishing misleading images.
Netanyahu also said the humanitarian aid system is being expanded through safe corridors, additional distribution points managed by Gazan Humanitarian Foundations, and airdrops coordinated with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
On the question of Palestinian statehood, the prime minister dismissed recent moves by several countries to recognise it, calling such steps a “reward for Hamas” and warning they would “bring the next war closer.” He argued the conflict persists because of the “persistent Palestinian refusal to recognise a Jewish state in any boundary.”
Responding to questions on international criticism, Netanyahu acknowledged a “propaganda war” that he said Israel is not currently winning, citing social media disinformation campaigns. He insisted the fastest way to counter this was by ending the conflict decisively and defeating Hamas.
Netanyahu said Israel’s aim was to conclude the campaign quickly, secure the release of the remaining 20 living hostages, and establish a transitional governance structure in Gaza with regional partners. However, he stressed that no civilian authority would be viable unless Hamas was “completely defeated.”
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The United Nations (UN) added Israel and Russia to a blacklist of parties suspected of committing conflict-related sexual violence on Friday (29 May). The move prompted Israel to announce it would sever ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly agreed an outline deal to extend their fragile ceasefire for 60 days, although the agreement still requires President Donald Trump’s approval and previous breakthroughs have failed to hold.
The U.N. human rights office said Israeli forces may be committing unlawful killings near the military armistice line in Gaza, after data showed that roughly a third of verified Palestinian deaths since the October truce occurred close to the boundary area.
Israeli forces carried out more than 120 airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon on Tuesday (26 May), killing at least 31 people in one of the heaviest bombardments in recent weeks, according to Lebanese security and health officials.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Donald Trump said he is “in no hurry” to reach a deal with Iran, insisting the U.S. is slowly getting what it wants. He warned military action remains an option if talks fail. Meanwhile, U.S. forces said they fired a missile at a vessel trying to breach Washington’s blockade of Iran.
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Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
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