The political and security cabinet of Israel sanctioned a strategy on Friday morning to seize control of the city of Gaza, as the nation intensifies its military actions amidst escalating domestic and global backlash against the nearly two-year long catastrophic war, according to Reuters.
„The IDF will prepare to assert control over the city of Gaza while facilitating humanitarian assistance for civilians outside conflict zones,” remarked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, in reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
While Netanyahu declared on Thursday that Israel aims to assume military authority over the entire Gaza Strip, the plan ratified on Friday specifically targets Gaza City, the largest municipality in the enclave, situated in its northern region.
An Israeli official, as reported by Axios, indicated that the strategy entails evacuating Palestinian civilians from Gaza City and initiating a ground offensive in that locale.
Netanyahu: „We seek a security perimeter”
When questioned about whether Israel would take command of the entire coastal region, Netanyahu stated on Thursday during an interview with Bill Hemmer of Fox News Channel: „We intend to do so.”
He specified, however, that Israel desires to transfer the territory to Arab forces that would govern it, without elaborating on the governance processes or which Arab nations might be involved.
„We do not wish to retain it. We aim to establish a security perimeter. We do not wish to govern it. We do not aim to be present as a governing entity,” Netanyahu expressed.
„A catastrophe,” criticizes the opposition
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the security cabinet’s resolution regarding Gaza City, labeling it „a catastrophe” and asserting that far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have drawn the Israeli prime minister into a scenario that was „precisely what Hamas wished,” according to The Guardian.
Lapid further claimed the decision would result in the demise of more hostages and soldiers, in addition to „political ruin.”
Israeli officials characterized a prior meeting this week with the army chief as tense, noting Eyal Zamir’s refusal to prolong Israel’s campaign.
Among the considerations discussed before the security meeting was the gradual takeover of regions in Gaza not currently under military oversight, according to a government source requesting anonymity.
„The alternative plan presented in the cabinet will not bring about Hamas’s defeat”
Evacuation alerts could be issued to Palestinians in specific areas of Gaza, potentially allowing them a few weeks prior to military action, the source added.
In the statement released on Friday, Netanyahu’s office noted that the majority of members of the political-security cabinet believe „the alternative plan presented in the cabinet will not result in Hamas’s defeat nor the return of the hostages.”
Two government sources indicated that any resolution by the security cabinet would require the approval of the entire cabinet, which may not convene until Sunday.
Hamas: „Open coup”
Complete control of the territory would reverse a 2005 decision by Israel, which involved the withdrawal of Israeli citizens and troops from Gaza while retaining authority over borders, airspace, and utilities.
Right-wing factions attribute this withdrawal decision to enabling the Palestinian militant group Hamas to gain power following the 2006 elections.
It remains uncertain whether Netanyahu anticipates a prolonged occupation or a temporary operation. Israel has persistently asserted its goal to dismantle Hamas and liberate Israeli hostages.
Hamas characterized Netanyahu’s statements as „an open coup” against the negotiation framework.
„Netanyahu’s intentions to escalate aggression unequivocally confirm that he aims to dispose of his captives and sacrifice them,” the statement claimed.
Arab nations „will only endorse what Palestinians consent to and determine,” an official Jordanian source informed Reuters, adding that security in Gaza must be guaranteed by „legitimate Palestinian institutions.”
What the UN states
Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera that the group would perceive any force established to control Gaza as an „occupation” force associated with Israel.
Earlier this year, both Israel and the United States dismissed an Egyptian proposal, backed by Arab leaders, that aimed to establish an administrative committee of independent Palestinian technocrats and professionals to govern Gaza post-conflict.
Opinion polls indicate that a majority of Israelis desire the war to conclude with an agreement facilitating the release of remaining hostages.
The White House had not provided comments by the publication time. President Donald Trump declined to disclose his position on a potential complete military takeover of Gaza by Israel.
The Netanyahu administration has insisted on total victory over Hamas, which instigated the war by launching a lethal attack on Israel from Gaza in October 2023.
The UN described reports of a potential extension of Israeli military actions in Gaza as „extremely concerning” if accurate.
The concept, heavily advocated by far-right ministers within Netanyahu’s coalition, of Israeli troops advancing into unregulated sectors of the enclave, has also raised alarms within Israel.
How many Israeli hostages remain in Gaza
Currently, there are 50 hostages in Gaza, with Israeli officials believing that 20 are alive. Most of those released to date have attained their freedom through diplomatic negotiations. Talks regarding a ceasefire that could have facilitated the release of additional hostages failed in July.
A senior Palestinian official indicated that Hamas has conveyed to Arab mediators that an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza would result in the renewal of ceasefire negotiations.
Israeli officials accuse Hamas of seizing aid intended for distribution to its fighters and selling it to finance its activities, allegations the militant group refutes.
Video footage released last week showing two hostages alive depicted them in a very frail condition, provoking international outcry.
Recent images of emaciated children from Gaza have also horrified the globe and intensified international condemnation of Israel regarding the drastic decline of conditions in the enclave.
Hamas, which has governed Gaza for nearly two decades but currently only oversees certain areas of the enclave, maintains that any agreement must result in a definitive cessation of the war. Israel contends that the group does not intend to honor its commitments to relinquish control following the conclusion of the agreement.
