Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel plans to assert control over the entire Gaza Strip, before an important meeting where ministers are currently deliberating on whether to support this action.
Netanyahu confirmed the intention during a conversation with Fox News.
Hamas reacted by cautioning that the proposal indicated Netanyahu was prepared to "sacrifice" the remaining Israeli captives in Gaza to advance "his personal agenda."
The UN has cautioned that a total military takeover could pose "catastrophic consequences" for Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians. The UK ambassador to Israel remarked that it would be "a significant error."
US ambassador Mike Huckabee stated that the decision to annex Gaza rests with Israel, mentioning in a CBS interview with the BBC that Palestinians "should not be driven out."
Israeli media report that Netanyahu views seizing Gaza as the sole method to eliminate Hamas and release hostages retained by the group after ceasefire negotiations collapsed.
However, reports indicate that the military chief and several ministers are in disagreement.
In its statement on Thursday night, Hamas claimed Netanyahu was persisting with "his strategy of genocide and displacement."
The armed group from Palestine stated that the actions of the Israeli prime minister would "indicate a distinct regression in the negotiation process and openly disclose the genuine reasons for his exit from the final stage."
The Israeli army presently oversees roughly seventy-five percent of Gaza. The overwhelming majority of Gaza's inhabitants have already been forced to flee due to the war, and many more will be displaced if the military seizes the remaining regions.
The cabinet of senior government ministers will convene on Thursday evening.
Right before they were set to meet, Fox News inquired of Netanyahu during a face-to-face interview, Will Israel assume control of the entire Gaza?"
"We plan to," Netanyahu responded, "to secure our safety, eliminate Hamas in that area, allow the people to live without Gaza [Hamas], and hand it over to a civilian authority that is neither Hamas nor anyone promoting Israel's destruction."
Israeli media reports that tens of thousands of Israeli troops would have to be deployed to Gaza for a takeover.
Reports indicate the strategy primarily aims to gain complete control over Gaza City, moving its one million inhabitants further south. Troops would likewise seize control of refugee camps in central Gaza and regions where hostages are believed to be located.
Reports indicate that a subsequent offensive would occur weeks later alongside an increase in humanitarian assistance.
Huckabee informed Fox News that there would be a major increase in the number of distribution locations run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by Israel and the US.
The GHF has faced significant criticism from the UN and aid organizations, which have claimed it is disorganized and compels starving Palestinians to journey long distances under dangerous circumstances to obtain food.
Hundreds have died from gunfire in or near the four locations managed by GHF since its operations started in May. The health ministry, controlled by Hamas, and eyewitnesses have blamed Israeli forces for the incident. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has rejected claims of targeting civilians, stating that troops have used warning shots to control crowds or in reaction to perceived threats.
In a report released on Thursday, the medical organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) characterized the violence as systematic and planned. It urged the Israeli authorities to cease GHF operations and to open all border crossings to allow the entry of commercial goods and humanitarian assistance.
The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with many UN-supported specialists stating that it is nearing famine concerning food intake. The area is facing widespread deprivation due to strict limitations set by Israel on incoming goods, which it claims are intended to undermine Hamas.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the leader of the World Health Organization, stated that July marked the most severe month for acute malnutrition cases in Gaza, impacting almost 12,000 children under five years old.
Netanyahu is said to have made a recent decision to conquer Gaza, escalating tensions with military leaders.
During a meeting with Netanyahu on Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reportedly cautioned that taking over Gaza could trap troops and put the hostages at greater risk. It is reported that he proposed a different strategy focusing on surrounding the remaining Hamas strongholds instead of total occupation.
Israeli media report that, although there are some reservations, the security cabinet is likely to endorse Netanyahu's proposal.
Miroslav Jenča, a senior UN official, informed the UN Security Council earlier this week that such an action would violate international law and was a "deeply concerning" possibility.
The relatives of hostages have voiced significant worry, believing that such an action might lead their captors to execute them.
US President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the responsibility for taking control of Gaza was "truly up to Israel."
The US has been facilitating indirect ceasefire discussions between Israel and Hamas for several months; however, talks collapsed two weeks ago. Trump accused Hamas, stating they "didn't genuinely seek to reach an agreement".
The conflict erupted when Hamas launched an assault on Israel on 7 October 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals to Gaza as captives. In retaliation, Israel initiated a significant military campaign that has resulted in the deaths of at least 61,158 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza's health ministry
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