Netanyahu says Israel would 'retain security responsibility' in Gaza after war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel would "retain security responsibility" for Gaza under a US-backed peace plan, and that it would "finish the job" of destroying Hamas if the Palestinian group rejected the deal.

"Hamas will be disarmed. Gaza will be demilitarized. Israel will retain security responsibility, including a security perimeter, for the foreseeable future. And lastly, Gaza will have a peaceful, civilian administration that is run neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority," said Netanyahu at a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump.

"If Hamas rejects your plan, Mr. President, or if they supposedly accept it and then, then basically do everything to counter it, then Israel will finish the job by itself. This can be done the easy way, or it can be done the hard way, but it will be done," Netanyahu said.

Israel hostage forum hails Trump's 'historic' Gaza plan

The main Israeli group representing the families of hostages held in Gaza on Monday hailed US President Donald Trump's peace plan for the Palestinian territory, urging international pressure on Hamas to accept it.

"This is a historic agreement that will allow our people to heal, end the war, and chart a new future for the Middle East," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement, commending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for accepting the plan. "The world must apply maximum pressure to ensure Hamas commits to this historic opportunity for peace."