Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly planning to propose the full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip to his security cabinet, potentially igniting widespread controversy and fear both domestically and internationally.
Israeli media reports suggest Netanyahu aims for a comprehensive takeover of the Gaza Strip to decisively defeat Hamas. A senior official in Israel is quoted as saying, “The die has been cast. We’re going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip – and defeating Hamas.”
However, this plan has met resistance from within Israel’s military ranks. Some reports indicate that the army chief and other military leaders are not in favor of the proposal. A senior official responded to this opposition, stating that if the army chief does not support the plan, he should consider resignation.
The families of hostages held in Gaza express concern that such an operation could imperil their loved ones. Currently, 20 of the 50 individuals believed to be in Gaza are thought to be alive. Polls reveal that three-fourths of Israelis are in favor of a ceasefire deal to secure the hostages’ return.
Internationally, the proposal has sparked apprehension among Israel’s allies, who advocate for an end to the conflict and measures to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Hundreds of former Israeli security officials have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to press Netanyahu to cease hostilities.
Ami Ayalon, a signatory and former chief of the domestic intelligence agency, told the BBC that additional military actions would be ineffective. “From the military point of view, [Hamas] is totally destroyed. On the other hand, as an ideology, it is gaining power among the Palestinian people, within the Arab street around us, and also in the world of Islam. So the only way to defeat Hamas’s ideology is to present a better future.”
These developments come after indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas fell through. Palestinian armed groups released alarming videos of two Israeli hostages, Rom Blaslavski and Evyatar David. Both individuals appeared weak and emaciated, with David seen digging what he claimed to be his grave in an underground tunnel.
Speculation persists that the recent media announcements might be a strategy to pressure Hamas into a new agreement. The Israeli military asserts operational control over 75% of Gaza, but the proposed plan would encompass the full territory, affecting over two million Palestinian residents.
The implications of such an occupation for civilians, United Nations operations, and aid groups remain unclear. Approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents have been displaced, many living in overcrowded and dire conditions. Humanitarian organizations accuse Israel of hindering the distribution of essential aid, noting that many in Gaza are starving.
To improve conditions, Israel announced plans to allow local Gaza businesses to resume the import of certain goods, including baby food, fruits, vegetables, and hygiene products, which were previously halted over concerns that Hamas was benefiting from these supplies.
The need to avoid risking hostages’ lives had previously been a factor in the Israeli military’s decision to refrain from fully occupying some areas of Gaza. In a similar situation last year, six Israeli hostages were executed following ground force interventions.
The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, has formally condemned Israel’s proposed measures, urging the international community to intervene to prevent further military occupations.
Palestinians argue that there are far-right Israeli ministers openly advocating for a complete occupation and annexation of Gaza with intentions to establish new Jewish settlements, recalling Israel’s 2005 withdrawal of forces and dismantling of settlements in the region.
This reoccupation strategy emerges amidst increasing international efforts to revitalize the two-state solution. This long-standing proposal envisions an independent Palestinian state coexisting alongside Israel, encompassing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem as the capital.
Recently, the UK, Canada, and France expressed conditional support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu is now anticipated to convene discussions with key ministers and military leaders to finalize strategies for Gaza. Initial plans reportedly involve surrounding central refugee camps and executing airstrikes and ground raids.
While Netanyahu has vowed to meet all his war objectives, Israeli media commentators question the feasibility of such promises. Writing for the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, commentator Nahum Barnea stated, “Netanyahu has never taken a gamble on this scale before,” highlighting the complexity of achieving complete control over the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s military actions in Gaza were initiated in response to Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the capture of 251 hostages. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli forces have killed at least 61,020 Palestinians in Gaza since that time, underscoring the conflict’s deadly toll.
As the situation progresses, it remains to be seen how these proposed actions will affect peace efforts in the region.
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