Netanyahu Claims He Has No Intention of Displacing Gaza’s Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday insisted Israel doesn’t plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza or permanently occupy the territory, a shift in rhetoric that comes a day before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) holds its first hearing on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

“I want to make a few points absolutely clear: Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population,” Netanyahu said in a video posted to social media where he was speaking in English, making clear the message is for a global audience.

Netanyahu’s message is also likely an effort to placate the Biden administration, which has been critical of Israeli ministers who are explicitly calling for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and the establishment of Jewish settlements in the Strip.