The government’s plan for the Gaza Strip, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is set to be presented to the security cabinet on Thursday and is expected to include plans to occupy new portions of the enclave, sources told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
The plan is expected to involve around five IDF divisions and last approximately five months. It will also involve relocating approximately one million Gaza City residents and will likely be approved on Thursday, cabinet ministers told the Post, adding that “the real question is what version of the plan will ultimately be approved.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir is expected to remain in his position and not resign despite his opposition to the plan. “The operation is a mistake and will endanger the hostages,” Zamir said during a discussion on Tuesday.
Any plan presented by the Trump administration will directly influence the course of Israel’s military operations in the enclave and the plans that the security cabinet will discuss on Thursday, two sources told the Post. Meanwhile, members of the administration are continuing internal discussions regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Increase of humanitarian aid
“The administration intends to significantly ramp up the amount of humanitarian aid being distributed,” a source familiar with the talks told the Post.
“We’re working to try to feed the people in Gaza. Israel is supposed to help us with the distribution, both financially and logistically, as are Arab states,” US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday.
When asked about the possibility of Israel taking over Gaza, Trump responded that this would be “Israel’s decision” to make.