Tension as Israel’s Security Cabinet approves plan to take control of Gaza City

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a significant escalation of Israel’s nearly two-year war in Gaza, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take military control of Gaza City, the largest urban center in the Gaza Strip, following a marathon meeting that extended into the early hours of Friday.

The decision, announced by Netanyahu’s office, marks a pivotal shift in Israel’s strategy, raising concerns about intensified conflict, humanitarian consequences, and the fate of hostages still held in the enclave.

The approved plan focuses on Gaza City as the initial phase of what could lead to a broader takeover of the Gaza Strip, where Israel already controls approximately 75% of the territory.

Netanyahu had previously signaled his intent to seize full control of Gaza, stating in a Fox News interview on Thursday, “We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza.”

However, he emphasized that Israel does not aim to govern the territory permanently, proposing instead to hand over civilian administration to unspecified “Arab forces” opposed to Hamas.

The Security Cabinet’s decision, backed by a majority vote, includes “five principles for ending the war”: disarming Hamas, securing the return of all hostages (approximately 50 remain, with 20 believed to be alive), demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, establishing Israeli security control, and creating an alternative civilian administration that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

The statement from Netanyahu’s office noted that a “decisive majority” of ministers rejected an alternative plan reportedly proposed by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, which they believed would fail to achieve the defeat of Hamas or the release of hostages.

The plan has sparked significant opposition within Israel, particularly from military leaders and hostage families.

Lt. Gen. Zamir and other senior IDF officials have warned that a full-scale occupation of Gaza City could endanger the lives of hostages, exhaust already fatigued troops, and lead to heavy Israeli casualties.

Zamir reportedly advocated for a more limited approach, such as encircling Hamas strongholds rather than a comprehensive takeover, citing the risks of prolonged insurgency and logistical challenges in managing Gaza’s population.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the decision “a disaster that will lead to many more disasters,” accusing far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of pressuring Netanyahu into a move that contradicts military advice.

Lapid warned that the operation could result in the deaths of hostages, significant losses of soldiers, and a “political collapse” for Israel, costing billions and further isolating the country internationally.

Hostage families, who protested outside Netanyahu’s office during the cabinet meeting, expressed deep concern that the escalation could jeopardize their loved ones.

The Hostage Families Forum urged the government to prioritize ceasefire negotiations, stating, “The expansion of the fighting is a danger of death and immediate disappearance for our loved ones.”

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, criticized Netanyahu for breaking promises to pursue a deal, accusing him of endangering both hostages and soldiers.

The decision comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’s attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 taken hostage.

Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry reported 98 deaths in the past 24 hours alone, with malnutrition-related deaths spiking due to Israel’s near-total blockade on aid.

The United Nations has warned that expanding military operations risks “catastrophic consequences” for Gaza’s 2 million residents, many of whom are displaced and living in tents or makeshift shelters in Gaza City and surrounding areas.

Palestinian voices in Gaza expressed despair over the announcement.

Maysaa al-Heila, a resident of a displacement camp, told the Free Press Journal, “There is nothing left to occupy. There is no Gaza left.” Dr. Ahmed Al Sufi, mayor of Rafah, described the plan as “expected” but devastating, reflecting the exhaustion of a population subjected to repeated displacement.

Internationally, the plan has drawn sharp criticism.

Australia’s Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt called for an immediate ceasefire, stating, “We strongly oppose the forced occupation of Gaza,” and warned that it would worsen the humanitarian catastrophe.

A Jordanian official emphasized that Arab nations would only support governance solutions endorsed by Palestinians, rejecting any role as an “occupying” force aligned with Israel.

The UN and aid agencies, including Médecins Sans Frontières, have highlighted the surge in malnutrition and the near-collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, urging unimpeded aid access.

Netanyahu’s push for the Gaza City takeover follows the collapse of ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, with both sides blaming each other for the impasse.

Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera that any force governing alongside Israel would be treated as an “occupying” power, signaling resistance to Netanyahu’s vision of Arab-led governance.

The plan also reflects pressure from far-right coalition members like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, who have openly advocated for reoccupying Gaza and rebuilding Jewish settlements dismantled in 2005.