Netanyahu 'presents plan to annex parts of Gaza'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will move to annex parts of the Gaza Strip if a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is not reached, according to Israeli media.

The remarks were made during a war cabinet meeting on Monday, which included Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

According to the Israeli news outlet Walla, Netanyahu presented a new strategic and political plan that marks a shift from Israel’s previous approach during more than 20 months of war in Gaza.

Netanyahu is said to have told the cabinet that “Israel does not intend to wait indefinitely” for Hamas to respond to a proposed temporary ceasefire brokered by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

If no agreement is reached soon, Israel will reportedly begin annexing territory within the Gaza Strip. 

Also read: Netanyahu ‘presents plan to annex parts of Gaza’