Netanyahu defends the planned military offensive in Gaza and criticizes the "global campaign of lies."

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought Sunday to defend a new military offensive in one of the most populated areas of Gaza amid growing condemnation at home and abroad, declaring that Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”

He spoke to foreign media just before an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Gaza. Notably, Netanyahu stated that he had ordered the Israeli military to "bring in more foreign journalists," which would be a surprising development, given that they have not been allowed to enter Gaza beyond military bases for 22 months of war.

"Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to liberate it," Netanyahu stated. He also rejected what he called a "global campaign of lies" and said that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, one of Israel's main defenders, had bowed down by announcing that Germany would not authorize the export of military equipment to Israel that could be used in Gaza.

Netanyahu stated that there is a "fairly short timeline" for the next steps in Gaza, but did not provide details. The objectives, he explained, include the demilitarization of the territory, the Israeli army having complete control of security there, and a non-Israeli civilian administration in charge.

Netanyahu again blamed the militant group Hamas for many of Gaza's problems, including civilian deaths, destruction, and a shortage of aid. "Hamas still has thousands of armed terrorists," he said, adding that the Palestinians are "pleading" with the world to free them.

The prime minister, who affirmed that there is no famine in Gaza, acknowledged the existence of hunger, stating that "there was a problem of deprivation, without a doubt." Israel wants to increase the number of aid distribution points, he stated.