"The day after we defeat Hamas, a new Gaza can emerge. My vision for that day is of a demilitarized and deradicalized Gaza," Netanyahu told lawmakers in an address to the US Congress.

"Israel does not seek to resettle Gaza. But for the foreseeable future, we must retain overriding security control there to prevent the resurgence of terror, to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel," he said.

"Gaza should have a civilian administration run by Palestinians who do not seek to destroy Israel. That's not too much to ask," Netanyahu added.

Israel occupied Gaza until its 2005 withdrawal, and Hamas seized control of the territory two years later.

Gaza is suffering under a conflict that broke out after Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

The militants also seized 251 hostages, 116 of whom are still in Gaza, including 44 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has devastated the narrow coastal territory and killed at least 39,145 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from Gaza's health ministry.