Extremist ideological agenda: Hamas calls Netanyahu's Gaza takeover plan a 'coup'

UPDATED: Aug 8, 2025 01:00 IST

Hamas has criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statements about taking full military control of the Gaza Strip, calling the move “a coup” during ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The condemnation came after Netanyahu stated that Israel intends to take over Gaza to “ensure our security” and eliminate Hamas. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said: “We intend to [take control of Gaza], in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, [and] enable the population to be free of Gaza.”

He added that while Israel does not plan to permanently occupy Gaza, it wants to establish a security perimeter and eventually transfer governance to Arab forces who would manage the territory without threatening Israel, and ideally improve life for Gazans.

Responding to the remarks, Hamas accused Netanyahu of using the conflict to advance his personal and ideological goals. “Netanyahu's plans to escalate the aggression confirm beyond any doubt his desire to get rid of the captives and sacrifice them in pursuit of his personal interests and extremist ideological agenda,” the group said in a statement.

The war began after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack, during which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages.

Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has killed tens of thousands, with humanitarian agencies warning of near-starvation conditions in the enclave.

While the majority of hostages have been freed through previous ceasefires and deals, around 50 remain in Gaza, with Israeli authorities believing about 20 are still alive.

An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said the government is preparing to expand its military campaign in parts of Gaza not yet under its control. The plan would be implemented gradually to increase pressure on Hamas, the official added.

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