Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an explosive escalation yesterday when he declared that security cabinet’s plan to capture Gaza City is the “best way” to end war and eradicate Hamas. His declaration came during a high-stakes international press conference held in Jerusalem, marking an abrupt change in Israel’s military strategy amid growing domestic and global opposition.
Netanyahu stressed that the plan does not represent an occupation but is intended as an urgent measure to dismantle Hamas and protect national security. “The goal is not to govern Gaza but to liberate it from Hamas terrorists,” he noted, proposing demilitarized Gaza under Israeli security supervision before setting up a neutral civilian administration which does not fall under Hamas or PA control. PBS +7 The Guardian +3 The Sun =
The Security Cabinet’s approved strategy entails five core principles, namely disarming Hamas, ensuring all hostages (living or dead), full demilitarization of Gaza, maintaining Israeli control over it, and creating a new civilian government framework (Wikipedia +3; The Sun +3; The Guardian).
Netanyahu presented these steps as vital steps toward building lasting peace and preventing future militant threats.
However, the plan has caused great division. Humanitarian advocates and international leaders–including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres–have strongly condemned it as an unlawful escalation that risks worsening Gaza’s crisis while violating international law, according to The Guardian and The Sun.
European nations including Germany, France, Spain and Ireland have voiced similar alarm, with Germany suspending military exports potentially used for offensive. (Source: Guardian +2)
Opposition against Israel’s total takeover is growing quickly within Israel as well. Military leadership and protestors alike warn of overreach and long-term involvement. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir recently expressed opposition, noting it could result in prolonged insurgencies consuming military resources and strain military resources for prolonged insurgencies, according to The New York Post, The Guardian, The Week as well as others.
Tens of thousands of Israeli citizens — including families of hostages — have taken to the streets, demanding ceasefire and hostage negotiations rather than expanded military operations, according to The Guardian.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently expressed frustration over the partial focus on Gaza City as too limited, and threatened early elections unless an aggressive approach is adopted, according to Sky News and The Australian. Both publications also published this assessment.
On the ground in Gaza City–home to nearly one million displaced Palestinians–chaos is already permeating. Residents have voiced defiance against being evacuated again despite repeated displacement efforts; one resident told Al Jazeera: “We have endured suffering, starvation… Our ultimate decision is that we shall stay here and die here.”
Al Jazeera reports that aid access remains limited, with only 14% of required humanitarian assistance reaching the territory, amid growing famine and civilian casualties, according to officials surveyed by The Guardian.
As diplomatic pressure on Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. increases, mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. are currently working toward brokering a ceasefire deal which includes both hostage release and stopping further Israeli advances (Wikipedia +13), according to reports by AP News and The Australian.
Netanyahu maintains his support of the Gaza City plan as essential to ending this conflict on his terms, and to restoring Israel’s security and stability.