Israel’s security cabinet on Friday approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to occupy Gaza City, situated in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.A day earlier, Netanyahu had announced that Israel intends to take full military control of the entire Gaza territory. However, he also clarified that Israel does not plan to govern the area.
His statement comes at a time when there is growing criticism of the war, both inside Israel and from other countries.When asked by Fox News if Israel would take over all of Gaza, Netanyahu replied, “We intend to.” He added, “We don’t want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter. We don’t want to govern it. We don’t want to be there as a governing body.”Also read:‘We don’t want to govern Gaza’: Netanyahu clarifies stance; says goal is security perimeter, not permanent controlHe said Israel would prefer to hand Gaza over to Arab forces after the war, but he did not explain who those forces would be or how the plan would work.
What this could mean
If Israel takes “full control” of Gaza, it would reverse the decision made in 2005 when Israel withdrew its soldiers and settlers from the area. Since then, Israel has kept control over Gaza’s borders, airspace, and utilities.This move could also mean that the Israeli military would enter parts of Gaza it does not yet control.Evacuation notices might be given to Palestinians in certain parts of Gaza, possibly allowing them a few weeks to leave before Israeli forces enter, a source said.Some right-wing leaders in Israel argue that the 2005 pullout from Gaza helped Hamas rise to power by winning elections in 2006.Israeli PM Netanyahu has said the goal is to defeat Hamas and rescue the remaining hostages, but it’s unclear if this plan is for the short term or something longer.
Israel lays out five conditions to end Gaza war
Israeli Cabinet has approved five key principles for bringing the war in Gaza to an end. These include:
- The disarmament of Hamas
- The return of all 50 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive
- The demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
- Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip.
- The existence of an alternative civilian government that is not Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
Arab countries are not on board
So far, no Arab country has agreed to help govern Gaza after the war. A Jordanian official told Reuters, “Arab countries would only support what Palestinians agree and decide on.” He added that security should be managed by Palestinian institutions.A Hamas leader, Osama Hamdan, told Al Jazeera that any force trying to govern Gaza alongside Israel would be treated as an “occupying” power.Earlier this year, Egypt proposed a plan backed by Arab countries to set up a neutral Palestinian committee to run Gaza after the war. But both Israel and the United States rejected it.
Protests grow in Israel over hostages
While Netanyahu talks about expanding the war, many Israelis want the fighting to stop so the remaining hostages can be freed. About 50 hostages are still being held in Gaza, and officials believe around 20 of them are still alive.On Thursday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem. They held signs showing the faces of hostages and called for an immediate deal.One protester, Noa Starkman, said, “I’m here because I am sick and tired of this government. It’s ruined our life.”The Hostages Families Forum urged Israel’s military chief to oppose any new attacks that could delay negotiations.
US and UN respond carefully
The United Nations said it is “deeply alarmed” by reports that Israel might expand its operations. The White House has not responded officially, and US President Donald Trump has refused to say whether he supports Israel’s full takeover of Gaza.
Situation in Gaza remains dire
The Israeli army says it now controls about 75 percent of Gaza. But most of Gaza’s 2 million people have been displaced many times over the past 22 months. Aid groups are warning that famine is very close.One resident, 30-year-old Aya Mohammad, said, “Where should we go? We have been displaced and humiliated enough.”Hamas says it will only agree to a deal that ends the war permanently. Israel says Hamas is not serious about giving up power.
