Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly defended his government’s plan to take full military control of Gaza City, calling it the “fastest and most effective” path to ending the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said Hamas’ refusal to disarm left Israel with no choice but to “finish the job” and secure a decisive victory. He claimed Israeli forces already control 70–75 per cent of Gaza and that the offensive is aimed at both defeating Hamas and minimising civilian harm.

The plan has drawn sharp criticism from the international community, including some of Israel’s closest allies, over humanitarian concerns. Netanyahu rejected these as “false claims,” asserting that civilians would be offered safe passage to designated zones with access to food, water, and medical care.

Highlighting humanitarian efforts, he said nearly two million tonnes of aid had entered Gaza since the war began. “If we had a starvation policy, no one in Gaza would have survived after two years of war,” he said. Netanyahu also noted ongoing talks with the U.S. to expand aid delivery via ground routes and airdrops, and to increase the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s distribution capacity.

While expressing hope that international bodies, including the UN, might assist, he criticised the UN’s past role in Gaza. He further alleged that the only people being deliberately starved are Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Netanyahu accused global media of relying on distorted Hamas-provided data, dismissing images of starving children as manipulated. He warned that such vilification often precedes violence against Jews, drawing parallels to historic antisemitic atrocities.