Netanyahu unveils five-point Gaza plan including demilitarisation and Hamas surrender

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presented his plan for Gaza’s future while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue advancing through the territory.

Speaking ahead of an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting, Netanyahu pledged to “puncture the lies” and “tell the truth” about the conflict, asserting that Hamas still commands “thousands of armed terrorists” intent on destroying Israel. He claimed many Gazans are “begging us and begging the world” to be freed from Hamas’s control, labeling the group a “genocidal organisation.”

Five-Point Plan for the ‘Day After Hamas’

Netanyahu insisted Israel’s goal is not long-term occupation but the liberation of Gaza from Hamas and the creation of a demilitarised, more stable future. His proposed framework includes:

1. Complete demilitarisation of Gaza.
2. Israeli security oversight to prevent future threats.
3. A border security zone designed to block attacks.
4. A civilian governing body to manage daily affairs and maintain peaceful relations with Israel.
5. Release of all hostages and full surrender of Hamas forces.

“The war can end if Gaza lays down its arms and releases all the remaining hostages,” Netanyahu said.

Military Gains and Strategic Targets

Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces now control between 70% and 75% of Gaza. Two remaining Hamas strongholds—Gaza City and the “central camps” area—are the current focus of the IDF. The security cabinet has directed the military to dismantle these bastions, with civilians offered relocation to designated safe zones where food, water, medical care, and security will be provided.

Addressing Starvation Allegations

Rejecting accusations that Israel is deliberately starving Gaza’s population, Netanyahu argued, “If Israel was implementing a starvation policy, no one in Gaza would have survived after two years of war.” He noted that hundreds of supply trucks have entered the territory and that millions of calls and messages have been sent urging civilians to move to safety.

Political and Public Pressure

Despite his firm approach, Netanyahu faces pushback from his own political base. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticised the cabinet’s latest decision as “half-hearted,” while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir told Kan radio, “I want all of Gaza, transfer and colonisation.” Beyond political circles, pressure is mounting from hostage families. In Tel Aviv, protesters displayed photos of those still held in Gaza, warning Netanyahu about the risks of his current strategy.