Title: Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Controversial Military Plans in Gaza: Implications and Reactions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s contentious plans for a new military operation in the Gaza Strip have sparked significant concerns from military leaders, opposition from families of hostages, and fears of increasing Palestinian casualties. These developments could further isolate Israel on the international stage.
During a lengthy 10-hour meeting, Israel’s security cabinet approved strategies aimed at the “takeover of Gaza City.” This move is seen as the first step toward the Israeli military asserting full control over Gaza, aligning with Netanyahu’s stated intentions. While the official statement from his office refrained from using the term "occupation," the implications of these plans suggest otherwise.
The timeline for these operations remains uncertain. The military must first mobilize thousands of reservists, many of whom are already fatigued from repeated service. Additionally, the plans require the forced evacuation of residents from areas housing approximately 800,000 Palestinians, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times due to the ongoing conflict.
These military plans are expected to provoke renewed condemnation from various countries that have expressed outrage over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and have called for an end to the conflict, which erupted following Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has labeled Netanyahu’s decision as "wrong," urging immediate reconsideration.
However, it seems unlikely that international pressures will sway Netanyahu’s strategy. Domestic discontent is also brewing; recent polls indicate that a majority of Israelis support negotiating with Hamas for the release of hostages, with 20 of the 50 believed to be alive.
The potential for a full occupation of Gaza might be part of a broader strategy to compel Hamas to make concessions in stalled ceasefire discussions. Israeli officials assert that Hamas currently shows little interest in negotiations, believing the group feels emboldened—a sentiment echoed by the Trump administration, which has not opposed Israel’s military strategies.
Many observers suspect that Netanyahu may be prolonging the conflict to secure the stability of his coalition, which depends on the backing of ultranationalist ministers. These ministers have threatened to withdraw their support if the war comes to an end. Figures like Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have also publicly supported what they term the voluntary migration of Palestinians from Gaza, a move that could be interpreted as forced displacement, raising serious legal and ethical concerns.
Opposition to Netanyahu’s plans has emerged from military leadership, notably Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, who reportedly warned that a full occupation could be tantamount to “walking into a trap,” potentially jeopardizing the safety of hostages. Families of the hostages echo these concerns, arguing that a negotiated agreement with Hamas is the only viable path to securing their loved ones’ release. According to Maariv, there is a prevailing concern that most, if not all, of the living hostages could perish during an expanded military offensive—either at the hands of their captors or through accidental strikes by Israeli forces.
Before the security cabinet meeting, Netanyahu shared his vision in an interview with Fox News, declaring Israel’s intention to take full control of Gaza. However, the cabinet’s decision seemingly stopped short of a formal endorsement of this objective. In the interview, Netanyahu indicated that Israel does not aim to govern Gaza long-term, stating, “We don’t want to be there as a governing body. We want to hand it over to Arab forces.” He did not clarify which nations might be involved in this potential arrangement, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the future of Gaza post-conflict.
As the conflict intensifies, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 61,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the onset of the war, while approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Hamas attacks, with 251 taken hostage.
In a rapidly evolving situation, the implications of Netanyahu’s military plans for Gaza remain complex and fraught with risks, both domestically and internationally.
