Netanyahu Escalates Gaza Strategy Amid International Opposition 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet approved a controversial plan to take control of Gaza City. This decision marks a significant escalation in the almost two-year conflict with Hamas. It comes despite intense international pressure for ceasefire negotiations and strong opposition from military officials in Israel. 

 

Strategic Implications and Military Opposition 

Netanyahu said in a Fox News interview that Israel intends to take full control of Gaza to ensure security and remove Hamas. He emphasized that Israel does not want a permanent occupation. The plan includes creating a "security perimeter" before transferring governance to Arab forces that will manage Gaza properly. 

 

Military and Political Resistance: 

• Israeli Defense Force Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned Netanyahu he was walking into a trap. 

• Military officials argue the operation would put hostages at risk and strain the IDF. 

• Opposition leader Yair Lapid labeled the occupation plan a very bad idea operationally, morally, and economically. 

 

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

 

The planned operation could displace about 1 million Palestinian civilians living in Gaza City and nearby areas. Israel already controls roughly 75% of Gaza and has strict border control. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 61,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began after Hamas's attack in October 2023. 

Families of hostages worry that military escalation could endanger the lives of around 20 Israeli captives still alive in Gaza. Hamas condemned Netanyahu's announcement as a blatant disruption to the negotiation process.