Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced at a recent press conference in Jerusalem that Israel will establish control over all areas of the Gaza Strip, reinforcing the government’s ongoing military and security strategy amidst the continuing conflict with Iranian-backed Hamas forces. This declaration follows months of intensified hostilities catalyzed by the October 7, 2023 massacre—the deadliest attack against Israel’s civilian population in generations—when Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, killing over 1,200 civilians and abducting hundreds more. The atrocity, which included mass executions, rape, and the systematic targeting of non-combatants, was recognized internationally as an attack of unparalleled brutality, drawing widespread condemnation and triggering Israel’s Iron Swords military campaign, as confirmed by statements from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and government briefings.
In the aftermath of these attacks, the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu alongside IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz, emphasized Israel’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and international law. Over the subsequent months, IDF operations have targeted Hamas’s military structure across Gaza, uncovering a vast network of fortifications, operational tunnels, and armaments situated deliberately beneath civilian infrastructure—evidence corroborated by multiple briefings from IDF and Western intelligence agencies, as well as reports by international humanitarian organizations granted access by Israeli authorities. Netanyahu’s declaration highlights the necessity of uninterrupted Israeli security oversight, arguing that past withdrawals, especially the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, led to the region’s transformation into a fortified base for Iranian-sponsored terror attacks targeting Israeli civilians.
The Israeli offensive has proceeded in a context shaped by ongoing threats from Iran’s broader regional network, commonly termed the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) proxies in Syria and Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen. Western intelligence assessments and Israeli security sources unequivocally identify Tehran as Hamas’s primary benefactor, channeling funding, training, and advanced weaponry to the group. The connection to Iran fundamentally transforms the Gaza conflict into a front in the broader struggle against state-backed terrorism, underscoring the rationale behind Israel’s insistence on complete operational access across the enclave to dismantle all terror capabilities.
Despite the asymmetrical nature of the hostilities, IDF spokespersons have repeatedly emphasized efforts to minimize civilian harm in Gaza, including advance warnings prior to operations and the continuous supply of humanitarian aid coordinated with international agencies. These actions are documented in daily operational updates and are subject to regular review by legal advisers to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. Nonetheless, Hamas’s systematic embedding of fighters, command centers, and weapons in schools, hospitals, and residential areas has created enormous challenges for Israeli forces and has been widely documented by both Israeli intelligence and visiting international monitors.
Analysts at major international news organizations note that Israel’s renewed focus on total security control over Gaza is driven not only by immediate concerns, such as preventing further rocket attacks and abductions, but also by the need to create conditions for long-term regional stability. The presence of an unchecked terrorist infrastructure in Gaza, supported by Iranian resources and expertise, threatens not just Israeli security but the broader interests of the West in the Middle East, including maritime security in the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The persistence of the Iranian-backed terror axis, as seen in attacks by Hezbollah on Israel’s northern front and Houthi aggression against shipping, has further reinforced Israel’s stance on the necessity for absolute deterrence and control.
Parallel to the military campaign, diplomatic efforts continue with support from Western allies, including the United States and European partners, as well as regional actors aligned through the Abraham Accords. The US government under President Donald Trump and his successors have reiterated the importance of Israel’s security and the broader containment of Iran’s proxies. Statements from senior US officials and European diplomats continue to stress that any enduring peace or future reconstruction in Gaza is contingent on the defeat of terror networks and the demilitarization of the Strip. Israeli leaders have echoed this stance, reiterating that the purpose of expanded control is not to reoccupy or annex Gaza, but to prevent the re-emergence of a terrorist safe haven on Israel’s southern border.
Throughout the conflict, the hostage crisis has remained at the forefront, with Hamas continuing to hold Israeli civilians under harsh conditions as leverage in negotiations. Israeli officials, domestically and in coordination with international mediators, have repeatedly made clear the fundamental moral distinction between Israel’s lawful detention of convicted terrorists under due process and Hamas’s unlawful abduction and mistreatment of innocent hostages. This asymmetry has been a focal point in Israeli public diplomacy and international advocacy, highlighting Israel’s adherence to rule-of-law principles as opposed to the criminality of its adversaries.
The path forward involves ongoing military operations to dismantle remaining Hamas strongholds, together with preparations for humanitarian normalization and potential international supervision post-conflict. According to senior Israeli and Western officials, any transitional administration in Gaza—if considered—would need to operate under the overarching guarantee of Israeli security oversight as long as threatening elements remain active. The Israeli government has consistently consulted with Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf partners, as well as engaging in security and intelligence coordination with the United States and select European nations. These efforts underline Israel’s commitment to seeking regional buy-in and maintaining adherence to global norms while prioritizing the security of its citizenry.
As the campaign continues, scrutiny from international media, governments, and multilateral organizations remains intense. Israeli authorities maintain ongoing transparency through daily briefings, press tours, and international observer access to military and humanitarian operations in Gaza. Despite persistent criticism from some quarters, Israel’s leaders insist that the only viable guarantee for the safety of Israelis and the prevention of future atrocities—such as those experienced on October 7—is uninterrupted security control and the definitive dismantling of Iranian-backed terrorist infrastructure.
In sum, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement articulates the logical outcome of hardened strategic and moral necessity, as determined by the current realities facing Israel and the wider Western world. The ongoing campaign, which remains under continuous legal and ethical supervision, aims not at occupation but at neutralizing those forces who pose an existential threat to Israel and a destabilizing danger to the Middle East and beyond. The lessons learned in Gaza will inform ongoing global efforts to confront the rising tide of Iranian-sponsored terrorism, solidifying the bond between Israel and the West as a bulwark for democratic values and international security.
