Israel’s Intent to Take Control of Gaza

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to take full control of Gaza, but does not want to keep or govern it.

• Netanyahu wants to have a security perimeter and not govern it.

• He wants to hand over Gaza to Arab forces that can govern it properly without threatening Israel.

• Netanyahu is due to meet with senior ministers to discuss plans for military control of more territory in Gaza.

• Despite mounting criticism, most Israelis want the war to end in a deal that would release the remaining hostages.

• Netanyahu’s government insists on total victory over the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which ignited the war.

• The idea of Israeli forces pushing into areas they do not control has generated alarm in Israel.

• Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the military will carry out the government’s decisions until all war objectives are achieved.