Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a press conference for foreign media on the 10th (local time). Yonhap News.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on the 10th (local time) that "the goal of expanding the military operation in the Gaza Strip is not to prolong the war, but to end it." 

Netanyahu made these remarks at a press conference for foreign media held at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on the afternoon of the same day, stating, "Israel has no option other than defeating Hamas and completing its mission."

He explained, "Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, but to liberate it," adding, "We will establish a civilian administration that is not linked to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority (PA)."

Netanyahu stated, "70-75% of the Gaza Strip is under our control," and introduced, "Our attack targets are the remaining two Hamas strongholds, Gaza City in the north and the coastal camps in the center." He added, "We have a considerably short timeframe in mind" regarding the next steps.

He then reiterated the five principles for ending the war presented at the Security Cabinet meeting on the 8th: ▲ disarmament of Hamas ▲ return of all hostages ▲ demilitarization of Gaza ▲ Israel's security control over Gaza ▲ establishment of an alternative civilian administration not linked to Hamas or the PA.

Netanyahu also claimed that Hamas, not Israel, is responsible for the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including residents starving to death.

He said, "The starvation crisis occurred because Hamas seized aid supplies and did not distribute them to the residents," and added, "We will designate safe corridors for the transit and distribution of aid to Gaza."

Netanyahu also criticized what he called a "global fake news campaign," stating that Hamas is spreading fake news by distributing photos of starving children that are actually pictures of children with genetic diseases whose bones are visible.

Netanyahu officially declared his intention to take over the entire Gaza Strip in an interview with Fox News on the 7th. The Israeli Security Cabinet approved a military operation to completely occupy Gaza City, an urban area in northern Gaza, early the next day.

Consequently, the international community has criticized Israel's pursuit of occupying Gaza, stating that it will further worsen humanitarian conditions on the ground and hinder efforts towards a "two-state solution."

Netanyahu's press conference for foreign media on this day took place just before an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss issues related to Israel's plan to occupy Gaza City.

Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a press conference for domestic media at 8 p.m. on the same day to reiterate his plans and stance for ending the war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, AP reported that casualties are mounting in Gaza, with at least 26 people killed while trying to receive aid, and seven others killed in Israeli airstrikes.

The Gaza Ministry of Health also claimed that two more Palestinian children died the previous day, bringing the total number of deaths due to starvation and malnutrition since the outbreak of the war to 217, including 100 children.

Yonhap News