United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump stated that Israel must decide on its next move, but emphasized that Hamas cannot remain in Gaza. Speaking about Israeli attacks on Gaza in an interview, Trump refrained from explicitly stating whether he would support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to occupy Gaza. However, he said he does not believe that Hamas, under the current circumstances, would release hostages. Trump noted that Israel needs to decide what it will do next and whether it will allow Hamas to remain in Gaza, but repeated that, in his opinion, Hamas cannot stay there.
Netanyahu said on Sunday that his army will occupy Gaza fairly quickly, adding that he wants the establishment of a civil administration in the Palestinian enclave.
“We have done a lot. About 70 to 75 percent of Gaza is under Israeli control, but we still have two remaining strongholds,“ he said, referring to Gaza and the central camps in Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza.
On Friday, the Israeli security cabinet approved Netanyahu’s plan for the complete occupation of Gaza, which triggered strong international reactions from governments and human rights organizations.
