Netanyahu says Israel’s goal is not to take over Gaza, but free Gaza from Hamas

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Israel’s goal is not to take over Gaza, but to free Gaza from Hamas and enable a peaceful government to be established there, the prime minister’s office said on X.

Netanyahu expressed his disappointment with Berlin’s decision to suspend weapons exports to Israel during the phone call with Merz on Friday, the office added.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Andrew Heavens)