Tel Aviv: Israels security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, marking a controversial escalation in its ongoing conflict in Gaza. The city, located in the north of the Gaza Strip, was the enclave's most populous before the war, home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
According to BBC, the plan has faced significant opposition within Israel, including from military officials and families of hostages, as well as from the international community. The strategy outlines several objectives: the disarmament of Hamas, the return of all hostages, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Israeli security control over the area, and the establishment of a civilian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that preparations are underway for taking control of Gaza City while ensuring humanitarian aid is provided to civilians outside combat zones. However, it remains unclear whether this aid will be new and how it will be delivered.
In the lead-up to the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed a desire for Israel to control all of Gaza. Nonetheless, the current plan mentions only Gaza City, which is surrounded by land either under IDF control or subject to evacuation orders. The move to control the city is seen as a possible first phase in a larger strategy to take over the entire Gaza Strip.
Speculation exists that the potential for full occupation might pressure Hamas into concessions during stalled talks. Netanyahu has stated intentions to hand control over to "Arab forces" after establishing a security perimeter, though specific details remain vague.
Israel has not disclosed a timeline for the takeover of Gaza City, but reports suggest the military will not move in immediately, allowing time for resident evacuations. An “alternative plan” presented to the cabinet, reportedly from the army’s chief of staff, was deemed insufficient for defeating Hamas or securing the return of abductees.
Reaction to the plan has been mixed. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticized the escalation, while Palestinian National Initiative President Mustafa Barghouti condemned it as a “declaration of a war crime.” International voices, including Turkey, Finland, and Australia, have expressed concern over the humanitarian impact and called for restraint.
The UN’s human rights chief, Volker Trk, emphasized the necessity of ending the war to prevent further displacement, suffering, and destruction. The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters warned of potential catastrophic consequences for both hostages and soldiers.
There have been mixed reports regarding US support for the plan. However, an NBC News report indicated tensions between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu, with the president dismissing claims of approval as "fake news."