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The Palestinian militant group Hamas has threatened consequences if Israel moves forward with the full occupation of Gaza.<\/p>\n
The Israeli military would pay a “costly price” for an escalation of the fighting, the Islamist group said in a statement, as the Israeli Security Cabinet met to decide on next steps in the 22-month war.<\/p>\n
Hamas vowed that Gaza would remain “immune to occupation and external guardianship from outside,” accusing the Israeli leadership of sacrificing the hostages still being held in the coastal territory.<\/p>\n
According to Israeli estimates, 50 hostages are still being held by Hamas and other extremist groups, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive.<\/p>\n
In an interview with US broadcaster Fox News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his intention to take full control of the Gaza Strip.<\/p>\n
However, Israeli media have reported that the military is warning against a full capture of the territory, which could jeopardize the hostages and prove costly for ground forces.<\/p>\n
Netanyahu said Israel does not want to occupy the territory permanently, but rather liberate it from Hamas in order to eventually hand it over to other forces.<\/p>\n
According to Netanyahu, these would have to be forces that do not call for the destruction of Israel like the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n