96,551 views since Nov 17, 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told NPR that Israel is committed to doing three things in Gaza: destroying Hamas, returning its hostages and giving Gaza a different future.

But the interview with NPR’s Steve Inskeep was notable for what the prime minister didn’t say: who may govern the territory with a population of 2.3 million, now devastated by weeks of Israeli bombing.

Israel is responding to an attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials. Palestinian officials say the Israeli response has killed more than 11,000. Israeli troops now directly control much of northern Gaza, and this week occupied a major hospital center.

The NPR interview pressed Netanyahu on what comes after Hamas is deposed. The prime minister said Israel must maintain "overall military responsibility" in Gaza "for the foreseeable future." He added, “There has to be a civilian government there,” but declined to say who it would be.

------------------------------------------------------

WHAT IS "MORNING EDITION"?
Every weekday for over three decades, Morning Edition has taken listeners around the country and the world with two hours of multi-faceted stories and commentaries that inform, challenge and occasionally amuse. Morning Edition is the most listened-to news radio program in the country.

Follow NPR elsewhere, too:
• Instagram:   / npr  
• TikTok:   / npr  
• Facebook:   / npr