Israel’s security cabinet has approved a controversial plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to militarily occupy Gaza City drawing sharp international criticism and fears of a humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
In a statement early Friday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed that the security cabinet approved Netanyahu’s proposal for the “defeat of Hamas,” instructing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare for full military control of Gaza City while supposedly ensuring humanitarian aid to civilians outside active combat zones.
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“The IDF will prepare for the takeover of Gaza City while ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” the PMO said.
The plan must still be approved by the full government cabinet, which is expected to meet by Sunday, according to two officials who spoke to Reuters.
Ground offensive to intensify displacement
According to reporting by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, the military operation will involve the forced removal of all Palestinian civilians from Gaza City to central refugee camps and other areas by October 7.
“A siege will be imposed on Hamas militants who remain, while a ground offensive will be launched,” a senior Israeli official told Axios.
The development marks a major escalation in Israel’s war in Gaza and is expected to result in the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians already suffering from acute food shortages and continued aerial bombardment.
Gaza residents face worsening famine conditions
Humanitarian organizations have warned that the occupation of Gaza City will further devastate already-dire living conditions. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that nearly 200 people have died from starvation and malnutrition, as aid access remains severely restricted.
The UN and several rights groups say the move will cripple food delivery efforts, with famine conditions already widespread across the enclave.
“There is nothing left to occupy,” said Maysaa al-Heila, a Gaza City resident, reacting to news of the planned military offensive.
Netanyahu: ‘We don’t want to govern Gaza’
In a Fox News interview aired Thursday, Netanyahu insisted that Israel does not intend to govern Gaza permanently, stating instead that it wants to establish a security perimeter and later transfer control to a third party, which remains undefined.
“We don’t want to keep it. We don’t want to govern it,” Netanyahu said.
His comments follow weeks of speculation in Israeli media about the government’s broader objective of occupying the entire Gaza Strip.
Global reaction and U.S. stance
While the international community has expressed deep concern over Israel’s actions, former U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to back Netanyahu’s ambitions.
“He said it would be up to the Israelis,” noted journalist Afshin Rattansi, suggesting that Trump’s position may give Netanyahu political cover.
Uncertain fate of Gaza City residents
Once the most populous area in the Gaza Strip, Gaza City has seen widespread destruction since the war began in October 2023. While hundreds of thousands fled during earlier Israeli evacuation orders, many returned during a temporary ceasefire earlier this year — only to now face renewed displacement.
The full scale of the population currently remaining in the city is unclear, but a new ground offensive will almost certainly drive more civilians into overcrowded and underserved refugee zones, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.
What happens next?
As the Israeli government prepares to escalate its military campaign, international agencies warn of irreversible damage to civilian life and regional stability.
If the full cabinet approves Netanyahu’s Gaza City takeover plan this weekend, Israel could begin ground operations within days, setting the stage for another devastating chapter in the war.
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