Daijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, Aug 12: Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has said that Tel Aviv may take control of the entire Gaza Strip to eliminate Hamas and ensure the group “can never attack again.” Speaking to NDTV, Azar elaborated on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new “Gaza plan,” which will first target Gaza City, believed to be the hub of Hamas operations.

“Hamas has not given up its weapons. Our aims are clear—we want to make sure they cannot attack us again. If they refuse to renounce their weapons, leave Gaza, and return our hostages, we will take military action,” Azar said.

The envoy stated that while timelines have not been finalised, military planning is underway. He stressed that the operation will be prolonged due to extensive booby-trapping in urban areas. The plan includes evacuating civilians from targeted zones to designated southern Gaza areas, where they will receive food and medical aid.

Azar asserted the move is essential to defend Israeli communities, dismissing fears of escalation raised by families of hostages. “Military pressure and diplomacy have helped retrieve 205 hostages, 148 alive. This strategy works,” he said.

Netanyahu had earlier announced plans to expand operations beyond Gaza City to the remaining Hamas strongholds, including Nuseirat, Bureij, and Muwasi, as well as Deir al-Balah — areas yet to face major ground offensives.