Israeli Cabinet to Review Plans for Gaza Strip Reoccupation
Israeli media has reported that the Cabinet will discuss plans to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, beginning with Gaza City on Thursday.
According to Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present a proposal for a full occupation of Gaza. The initial focus of this plan appears to be on expanding control over the city and on collaboration with the United States.
In the plan’s first phase, Israel plans to issue evacuation notices to roughly one million residents of Gaza City, which constitutes about half the Strip’s total population. The intent seems to be to establish a new infrastructure in central Gaza. This phase is projected to take several weeks.
The operation is said to be aimed at spanning weeks rather than months. It may serve as a compromise to address concerns from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has previously cautioned against a full invasion, suggesting that limiting actions to Gaza City could postpone a complete occupation.
The Jerusalem Post added that this plan involves around five IDF divisions and will likely last for about five months. It includes relocating approximately one million Gaza inhabitants and is expected to secure Cabinet approval on Thursday. One Cabinet Minister remarked on the uncertainty surrounding which iteration of the plan might ultimately be ratified.
When questioned about the likelihood of Israeli control over Gaza being reinstated, former President Trump noted this would ultimately be an “Israel decision.”
Historically, Israel has occupied about 75% of Gaza, mainly in the southern region, while a significant population, along with Israeli hostages, occupies the remaining 25%.
Initially, Israel did not plan to reoccupy Gaza, but Hamas’s refusal to disarm or relinquish governance has complicated the situation. The group also declined a ceasefire that would involve the release of all hostages.
Despite public sentiment in Israel, if Hamas were to negotiate the release of hostages, it could potentially re-establish some level of control over Gaza, although nominally.
Nevertheless, the situation remains complex. Hamas reportedly still holds around 50 hostages, of whom 20 are said to be at risk of starvation. This struggle highlights the challenges faced by the group in admitting an overall defeat from the conflict.
