Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consecutive press conferences in English and Hebrew, outlining Israel's strategy for Gaza. In his address to international media, Netanyahu refuted claims about Israel's intentions, stating that the goal is not to occupy Gaza but to take control of Gaza City and free it from Hamas. He presented five conditions for ending the conflict and emphasized a shift towards increased military pressure rather than partial hostage deals. Netanyahu also criticized international reporting, insisting that Israel is not attempting to starve the population and highlighting efforts to increase humanitarian aid.
In his Hebrew-language briefing, Netanyahu focused on Israel's military successes in Gaza, aiming to justify the continuation of operations. He acknowledged the challenges faced by reserve forces and reinforced the government's commitment to its objectives. The international community continues to respond to Israel's plans, with mounting condemnations and a scheduled meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the situation.