The security cabinet on Thursday night discussed a plan for the full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, prompted by Hamas’s ongoing refusal to engage in negotiations over a hostage deal or show any flexibility.
The plan, proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and deliberated in the meeting, includes encircling Gaza City and relocating around one million residents to the southern part of the enclave. Following this, a senior Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that the military would “target the terrorist strongholds in the city,” with operations later expanding to the central refugee camps.
Israel, with support from the United States and additional international partners, intends to flood Gaza with humanitarian aid, up to four times the current volume. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said the United States plans to open 16 humanitarian aid centers, modeled after those operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The operation is expected to take at least six months. A senior official told the Post that Netanyahu is “determined that this is the only path to defeating Hamas.” In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, the prime minister stated: “We intend to militarily take over the entire Gaza Strip, dismantle Hamas, and transfer control to another authority.”
Regarding whether the Trump administration supports the move, a US official told the Post that “Israel is to decide what it needs to do for its own security.”
The prevailing assessment in Israel is that Hamas currently has no interest in a deal. However, several cabinet ministers who spoke with the Post voiced concerns that if Hamas were to suddenly propose a framework for a hostage deal, military operations in Gaza could be halted.
“We demand that the operation to take over the Strip continue until completion, regardless of any proposal Hamas might make. Only by proving we are committed to full military action will Hamas be pressured into releasing the hostages,” one minister said.
On Thursday, Netanyahu held meetings with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Meanwhile, President Isaac Herzog spoke with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir to “express support” amid recent criticism claiming he has not been aggressive enough.
IDF chief voices opposition to complete occupation of Gaza Strip
Zamir has voiced opposition to the full occupation plan, warning it could endanger the hostages. However, he also clarified that he would carry out any decision made by the cabinet. “A culture of disagreement is an integral part of the Jewish people’s history, and it is a vital component of the IDF’s organizational culture, both internally and externally,” said Zamir on Thursday.
“We will continue to express our professional opinions without fear, objectively, independently, and with professionalism. That is also what we expect from our subordinates. This is where the responsibility lies, on this very table.”
Zamir emphasized that the overarching goal of the military campaign in Gaza is to “bring about the collapse of Hamas.”