Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen hinted that Israel may annex part of Gaza in an interview with the Times of Israel on Wednesday.

“At the end of this war, not only will Hamas no longer be in Gaza, but the territory of Gaza will be reduced,” Cohen said.

“Legitimacy to act in Gaza”

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told the newspaper that the military faced a “major challenge” in terms of international legitimacy to operate in Gaza following false claims by the terror group Hamas that an Israeli airstrike had killed hundreds of people in a hospital.

He also says a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces has enlisted hundreds of reservists to help with public diplomacy efforts during the war.

“We presented the truth to the world, and as a result of credible and accurate reporting, the US president accepted our position,” Hagari said, referring to an earlier briefing for international media, rejecting Hamas’ claims.

“The IDF acts in accordance with international law and strives to report accurate information,” he added.

“We have a big challenge with legitimacy against an enemy that has no respect for the truth,” Hagari adds.

Hagari says the fight for legitimacy is “difficult, challenging and often frustrating” but it is a “national responsibility”.