Tel aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that he had a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump regarding the cabinet’s plans to occupy the Gaza Strip.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Netanyahu’s office stated, “In the call with Trump, the prime minister discussed Israel’s plans to take control of the remaining Hamas strongholds in Gaza, in order to end the war, return the hostages, and subjugate Hamas.”

Netanyahu’s office further noted that “the prime minister thanked President Trump in the phone call for his steadfast support for Israel since the beginning of the war.”

In a press conference on Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Tel Aviv does not aim to occupy Gaza, but rather to establish a civil administration in the Strip that is not subservient to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu reiterated the “five objectives of the war,” adding, “We have instructed the army to take control (occupy) Gaza City,” which he described as the “center of gravity and dominance” of Hamas. He expressed confidence that subduing Hamas is essential to recovering the hostages.

He also mentioned that the majority of cabinet ministers believed that the plan presented by the army during the meeting last Thursday-Friday “does not achieve the goals.” Netanyahu emphasized that “Israel has no choice but to complete the mission and eliminate Hamas in light of the movement’s refusal to lay down its arms.”

Netanyahu highlighted that the goal of the new offensive plans in Gaza is to eliminate the two remaining Hamas strongholds. He added, “We aim to maintain a rapid timeline for military operations in Gaza,” while noting that the military operation is intended to be short to end the war, though he could not provide a timeline or precise details.