Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday that to destroy Hamas Israel intends to take full control of the Gaza Strip and eventually transfer its administration to friendly Arab forces. He said this in an interview with Fox News as the Security Cabinet discussed a possible expansion of Israel’s military operation in Gaza after the breakdown of ceasefire talks last month.

Asked in an interview with Fox News if Israel would “take control of all of Gaza,” Netanyahu replied: “We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza.” The Security Cabinet would still need to approve such a decision.

Such an order for the full reoccupation of Gaza for the first time since Israel withdrew soldiers and settlers two decades ago would be aimed at

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