Israel's Stance on Gaza: No Occupation, but a Call for Credible Force

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel does not seek to conquer, occupy, or govern Gaza after its war against Hamas, but emphasized the need for a "credible force" to prevent the emergence of militant threats. Netanyahu's comments drew pushback from the United States, which opposes Israeli post-war occupation of Gaza. The U.S. officials suggest that the Palestinian Authority should return to govern Gaza, accompanied by a political solution that ends Israel's occupation of the territory. Netanyahu also emphasized the demilitarization, deradicalization, and rebuilding of Gaza after the war.