Israel’s security cabinet approves occupation of Gaza City
The plan will displace around 800,000 Palestinians and result in a large siege and ground offensive
Israel’s security cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for an occupation of Gaza City, the premier’s office announced.
The office said that the adopted proposal aims to “defeat Hamas.”
“The security cabinet approved the prime minister's proposal to defeat Hamas. The IDF will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” the statement read. The cabinet meeting started on the evening of 7 August and ended very early on Friday.
“An overwhelming majority of cabinet ministers believed that the alternative plan presented to the cabinet [by the army] would not achieve the defeat of Hamas or the return of the hostages,” the prime minister’s office went on to say.
During the meeting, the Israeli army’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir opposed Netanyahu’s plan and said it would endanger the remaining captives held by the resistance, officials told Axios. He also rejected the idea of Israeli rule over the Palestinian population.
The decision used the word “taking over” instead of “occupy,” according to Hebrew news site Ynet. This was reportedly due to legal reasons about Israeli responsibility for civilian matters in the strip. A senior official cited by the outlet said the distinction is “superficial” and that the decision will see full Israeli military rule.
According to the report, the plan will be halted if an exchange deal is reached.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich rejected the decision, demanding no aid for Gaza and a commitment that the operation will not come to an end for any reason, even for talks on a prisoner exchange deal.
A senior official told Axios that the plan only involves Gaza City. The prime minister and the defense minister are authorized by the cabinet to approve a final operational plan against Hamas.
“The goal is to evacuate all Palestinian civilians from Gaza City to the central camps and other areas by the 7th of October. A siege will be imposed on the Hamas militants who remain in Gaza City, and at the same time, a ground offensive will be carried out in Gaza City,” the official added.
The prime minister’s office confirmed five goals for the operation: disarming Hamas; returning all captives; demilitarizing Gaza completely; maintaining full security control over the strip, including after the war is ended; and eventually handing over control to an “alternative civilian government” that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Tensions have surged recently between the army chief and the political establishment over the occupation plan and the danger it poses to the captives.
Israel’s defense minister defended Zamir’s right to express his views, but said the army will have to implement whatever decision the government takes.
The Israeli army currently controls around 75 percent of Gaza. The other 25 percent constitutes Gaza City and the refugee camps in central Gaza.
Around 800,000 Palestinians who have been repeatedly displaced throughout the war reside in Gaza City. These people will be displaced toward the south, a source told the Times of Israel.