India, Aug. 10 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday defended plans for a new military push into Gaza, declaring that Israel "has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas," as fresh violence left dozens of Palestinians dead and international criticism of Israel's war strategy deepened.

Speaking to foreign media in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said his upcoming offensive would target Hamas' last two strongholds in Gaza. "Our goal is not to occupy Gaza, our goal is to free Gaza," he said, rejecting accusations that Israel seeks permanent control of the territory. He described the objectives as demilitarizing Gaza, ensuring "overriding security control" by Israel, and placing governance in the hands of a non...