Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined Israel's intention to take control of Gaza, aiming to remove Hamas and eventually transfer governance to non-hostile civilian authorities. In a recent interview, Netanyahu emphasized the need for a security perimeter and stressed that Israel does not wish to govern Gaza long-term, but rather seeks to ensure its own security and improve conditions for Gazans.

Hamas responded sharply, criticizing Netanyahu's remarks and claiming that he withdrew from ongoing negotiations that had reportedly made significant progress toward a final agreement. The organization accused Netanyahu of expanding military operations and alleged that he is prioritizing personal and ideological interests over the safety of hostages.