Netanyahu Reportedly Decides on Full Gaza Occupation Ahead of Key Cabinet Meeting
Netanyahu Reportedly Decides on Full Gaza Occupation Ahead of Key Cabinet Meeting
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly made the decision for a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, with his war cabinet scheduled to convene today, Tuesday, to approve the expanded operations. Multiple Israeli media outlets, including i24NEWS, The Jerusalem Post, Channel 12, and Ynet, indicate this move would extend Israeli military actions across the entire enclave, encompassing areas where Hamas captives are believed to be held.
A senior official in Netanyahu’s office, quoted by Channel 12’s chief political analyst Amit Sega, stated that the decision stems from the belief that “Hamas won’t release more hostages without total surrender, and we won’t surrender.” The official underscored the urgency, adding, “If we don’t act now, the hostages will starve to death and Gaza will remain under Hamas’s control.”
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has swiftly condemned the reported plans, urging the international community to intervene immediately to prevent their implementation. Netanyahu’s office has not yet issued a response to these reports.
This reported escalation emerges as the conflict in Gaza nears its two-year mark, intensifying significant international pressure on Netanyahu to increase humanitarian aid and halt the war. Palestinian casualties have surged, with over 60,930 deaths reported since October 2023, including more than 18,430 children. Domestically, the Prime Minister faces mounting demands to secure the release of the remaining 49 captives, 27 of whom are believed to be deceased, particularly following recent footage depicting emaciated detainees.
On Monday, Netanyahu reiterated his core war objectives: the elimination of Hamas, the release of all hostages, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Concurrently, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan accused the United States and Western nations of overlooking Israeli “atrocities,” holding Netanyahu’s government fully responsible for the captives’ lives due to its refusal to agree to a ceasefire.
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