Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended his government’s decision to launch a new offensive to take control of Gaza City and nearby refugee camps, vowing Israel would “move quickly” to evacuate civilians before seizing the area.

Speaking at a news conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Israel would retain “overriding security responsibility” for Gaza while working to establish a civilian administration that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. “Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza,” he said, accusing critics of joining a “global campaign of lies.”

The remarks came days after Israel’s security cabinet approved the operation, which has sparked criticism from allies and opponents alike.

Spain and seven other European nations; Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal and Slovenia, issued a joint statement warning the plan would deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, lead to an “unacceptably high number of fatalities,” and force nearly one million Palestinians from their homes.

The ministers also argued the move would hinder efforts to achieve a two-state solution, which they called “the only path towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”

Netanyahu’s press conference was held minutes before an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting on Gaza. He said he had instructed the Israeli military to “bring in more foreign journalists” to report from the strip — a significant change, as access for international reporters has been restricted to military embeds during the 22-month conflict.

The prime minister also pushed back against Germany’s decision to halt military exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza, saying Chancellor Friedrich Merz had “buckled under” pressure.

Despite reported dissent within Israel’s military leadership and growing calls for a negotiated ceasefire to secure the release of hostages, Netanyahu insisted Israel “has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas.”

Meanwhile, health officials in Gaza reported 52 more Palestinian deaths on Sunday, including 26 people seeking food aid. Five others, two of them children, died from starvation, bringing the total number of hunger-related deaths to 217, of which 100 were children.