Israel’s security cabinet will meet on Thursday to decide whether to order the full military takeover of the Gaza Strip – a move the UN says would risk “disastrous consequences.”
Israeli media said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saw it as the only way to destroy Hamas and the free hostages, and the group was still occupied after the collapse of the ceasefire meeting.
However, it has been reported that the military chief and some ministers disagree, warning that such a move could be disastrous for hostages and Palestinian civilians.
Miroslav Jenča, the top UN official, told the UN Security Council earlier this week that it would violate international law, which is a “shocking” prospect.
The Israeli military currently controls about three-quarters of Gaza. The vast majority of Gaza’s population has been displaced by the war, and if the army takes over the remaining areas, more people will be uprooted.
The government minister’s safety cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday at 18:00 local time.
According to the Israeli media, thousands of Israeli soldiers need to be sent to Gaza for the takeover.
The report said the plan initially focused on complete control of the city of Gaza, moving one million of its residents to the south. The troops will also control refugee camps in central Gaza and areas considered hostage-holdings.
The report said the second offensive will be promoted in a few weeks with the promotion of humanitarian aid.
Mike Huckabee, a U.S.-based Israeli-based Mike Huckabee told Fox News that the distribution sites run by Israel and the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will have a big expansion.
The United Nations and aid agencies have strongly criticized the GHF, which they accused it of being messy and forced hungry Palestinians to travel long distances in dangerous conditions, trying to get food.
Hundreds of people have been shot dead since the GHF began operation in May. Hamas – Operating the Ministry of Health and witnesses accusing Israeli forces of responsibility. The IDF denied targeting civilians, saying soldiers had fired warning shots to get the crowd back or respond to the threat.
The war has caused a humanitarian disaster in Gaza, and most experts without support say it is a time of famine in terms of food consumption. The territory has also suffered massive deprivation due to the strict restrictions imposed by Israel on what is allowed – what it says is intended to weaken Hamas.
Netanyahu was reportedly conquered Gaza in recent days, creating tensions with military leaders.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir is said to have warned at a meeting with Netanyahu on Tuesday that controlling Gaza could be in trouble and further endanger hostages. He reportedly proposed an alternative plan involving surrounding the remaining Hamas strongholds, not all occupations.
Israeli media said that despite some concerns, the safety cabinet is expected to approve Netanyahu’s plan.
The hostages’ families aroused a vigilant reaction, fearing that such a move would prompt their captives to kill them.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that taking over Gaza is “really Israel.” The United States has been indirect ceasefire dialogue between Israel and Hamas for months, but negotiations two weeks ago broke down.
The war began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 people back to Gaza as hostages. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive that killed at least 61,158 Palestinians.
