Israel’s Plan to Take Over Gaza City: A Major Escalation in the War
Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This move is expected to have far-reaching consequences for both the region and the global community. The decision comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized his goal of taking full control of the Gaza Strip and “liberating” its people from Hamas.
While the security cabinet has only officially approved a takeover of Gaza City at this stage, it represents a major shift in the war dynamics. Gaza City is not just a strategic target; it is the symbolic heart of the region and an area that has remained largely untouched during the past 22 months of conflict. The implications of this military operation are profound and complex.
What Is Israel Planning to Do?
According to an official statement released by Mr. Netanyahu’s office after the security cabinet meeting, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will prepare for taking control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to civilians outside the combat zones. The security cabinet also adopted five principles for ending the war, which include:
- Disarm Hamas
- Return all hostages — dead and alive
- Demilitarise the Gaza Strip
- Ensure Israeli security control in the Gaza Strip
- Establish an alternative civil government that is not Hamas or the Palestinian Authority
No further details about the timeline or specific actions have been disclosed, but the plan signals a clear shift in strategy.
What Would a Military Takeover Mean?
From a military perspective, Israel is expected to deploy tanks and troops into Gaza City, physically occupying the area to maintain a military presence. As the symbolic and logistical heart of Gaza, a takeover would be highly significant. However, the city has been transformed by the war, with many areas in ruins and a large number of displaced Palestinians living in cramped conditions.
Gaza City is known for its dense population, vibrant shops, cafes, and hospitals. But now, it faces immense challenges. Aid groups report that large parts of the north and south of the city are uninhabitable due to destruction caused by Israeli strikes. With limited space and resources, there are concerns about where the displaced population would go if Israeli forces advance.
The city’s narrow streets and alleyways may lead to guerrilla-style warfare, with Israeli troops facing resistance from Hamas fighters. In other parts of Gaza, Israel has used air strikes to destroy infrastructure and weaken Hamas. If similar tactics are applied in Gaza City, it could result in widespread destruction and devastation for the local population.
Who Would Rule Gaza?
One of the key principles agreed upon by the security cabinet is the establishment of an alternative civil government in Gaza that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. However, the identity of this new authority remains unclear. There have been no concrete proposals yet, and the question of who would govern the area remains unanswered.
If Israel assumes direct control over Gaza, it would be responsible for providing essential services such as food, water, medicine, and shelter, according to international law. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not keep control of Gaza, suggesting that power might eventually pass to a coalition of Arab forces. This idea has faced criticism, with Jordanian officials rejecting the notion and emphasizing that Arabs would only support decisions made by Palestinians.
Does Israel Want Settlements in Gaza?
International law prohibits a military occupier from transferring its civilian population into occupied territory. This means that allowing Israeli citizens to settle in Gaza would be widely seen as illegal. However, the practice is already established in the Occupied West Bank, where more than 500,000 settlers live in settlements considered illegal under international law.
Although Israel claims its West Bank settlements are legal, human rights groups fear that the expansion of its occupation in Gaza could open the door for resettlement. It has been 20 years since Israelis last lived in Gaza, and the current government has shown interest in resuming settlement activities. Multiple senior politicians have called for the resettlement of Gaza, including the national security minister.
Reactions from Gazans and Israelis
The Israeli public has shown little appetite for expanding the war, with polls indicating that most Israelis want a ceasefire and a deal to release hostages. Hostage families, in particular, worry that advancing into unoccupied areas could endanger their loved ones. They point to past incidents, such as the deaths of six Israeli hostages in Rafah, as evidence of the risks involved.
In Gaza, the news of the proposed takeover has sparked fear and uncertainty. Many residents, already displaced multiple times, express concern about what lies ahead. Some have called on the international community to find a real solution for the Palestinian people. With limited space and resources, the situation in Gaza remains dire, and any further military action could lead to catastrophic consequences.
