Illustrative image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ministers that he will seek cabinet backing for a plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, Hebrew media reported on August 4.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is currently in control of 75 percent of Gaza. However, Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Strip continue to show fierce resistance and are still holding up to 50 hostages, at least 20 of them are believed to be still alive.
The military is not enthusiastic about the plans of Netanyahu, who reportedly used the term “occupation of the Strip” in recent private conversations.
The Ynet news site quoted a senior official close to the primer as saying, “The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.”
“There will be operations even in areas where hostages are being held. If the chief of staff doesn’t agree, he should resign,” they added, referring to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who reportedly opposes the proposed occupation of Gaza.
On August 3, Channel 12 news reported that a divide had emerged within the security cabinet on the potential complete occupation of Gaza, with the premier and Defense Minister Israel Katz allegedly remaining undecided.
Those who are in favor of the move are Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, and Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs.
Meanwhile, Zamir, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Shas party leader Aryeh Deri, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, Mossad chief David Barnea, the Shin Bet’s negotiator known by the Hebrew letter “Mem,” and Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, who oversees the hostage file for the IDF, are in favor of a ceasefire-hostage deal.
Despite this divide, Netanyahu said on August 4 that he would convene the cabinet to order the IDF on how to proceed with the war effort.
If the complete occupation of Gaza was ordered, the IDF will enter some areas of Gaza for the first time, including areas where hostages are believed to be held.
Netanyahu’s push for this radical plan comes as Israel is facing unprecedented international pressure over the widespread hunger in Gaza, where over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. It also comes following a series of setbacks in indirect talks with Hamas, which called for prioritizing the humanitarian situation in the Strip.
Recently, Israel threatened Hamas with punitive measures, including annexing parts of Gaza, if it does not move towards a new deal.
With Israel now closer than ever to the occupation of the entire Strip, it is not hard to imagine Netanyahu later suggesting to annex the whole enclave.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
