Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may order the occupation of Gaza
Israel: According to rumors, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may order the full reoccupation of the Palestinian territory when he announces a new military plan for Gaza.
The revised war plan, according to Israeli media, intends to destroy Hamas and ensure the release of scores of Israeli captives who have been detained in Gaza since the October 7 strikes.
Netanyahu was expected to meet with the Chief of Staff, the Defense Minister, and other high-ranking military officials in Jerusalem on Tuesday. Although the meeting’s exact date has not yet been established, it is thought that the main topics of discussion will be extending military operations and issuing fresh orders.
Netanyahu “wants the Israeli army to conquer the entire Gaza Strip,” according to public radio Kan, while the private newspaper Maariv said, “The die is cast. “We’re on our way to conquering Gaza completely.”
The media was informed by a number of unidentified officials that Netanyahu intends to expand operations into potential hostage-holding locations.
Additionally, Netanyahu promised to present the proposal for approval to the cabinet later this week. The events take place as Israeli officials call a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York to highlight the situation of the captives.
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have already responded sharply to the suspected reoccupation preparations.
Hamas is committed to negotiations to end the conflict and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, senior Hamas spokesman Husam Badran told AFP. “Israel and the Americans are in control,” he said.
Gaza’s health ministry, which is operated by Hamas, reports that more than 60,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict started in October 2023. Aid organizations warn of rising hunger conditions for the 2.4 million residents of Gaza, where Israeli operations have destroyed large sections.
Netanyahu is now under increasing pressure from a number of sources. Families of Israeli hostages are still calling for a truce so they may return their loved ones. Calls for a ceasefire are becoming more widespread on a global scale, and some European nations are attempting to recognize Palestinian statehood—moves that Israel and the US fiercely reject.
Netanyahu is also under pressure from far-right members within his own coalition who want to retake Gaza in its entirety and gain more authority over the occupied West Bank.