Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has lied about his plans to annex Gaza before facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
South Africa has filed a case against Israel at the ICJ, accusing it of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. The hearing is scheduled for January 11 and 12.
According to foreign news agencies, Netanyahu said in a statement before the ICJ hearing that he had no intention of permanently occupying Gaza, but rather wanted to cleanse it of Hamas and recover Israeli citizens. The Israeli Prime Minister said that after achieving the objectives, he could withdraw the troops from Gaza.
However, this statement contradicts his previous remarks, in which he vowed to continue the war until Hamas was eliminated and Gaza was under Israeli control.
Netanyahu has shown no remorse for the brutal war in the region, which has killed tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza and provoked international condemnation. He has also ignored the calls for a ceasefire from the US and other allies, and resisted any efforts to revive the peace process with the Palestinians.
Netanyahu’s change of tone is seen as a desperate attempt to avoid accountability for his crimes at the ICJ, where he could face legal consequences and public disgrace. He is also facing domestic pressure from his right-wing coalition partners, who oppose any compromise with the Palestinians, and from his corruption trial, which resumed in December.
Netanyahu is a political survivor who has clung to power for decades, but his credibility and legitimacy are rapidly eroding. He is losing the trust of the international community, the Israeli public, and even his own supporters.