The Israeli government has approved a controversial military plan to fully seize and retain control over the entire Gaza Strip, drawing sharp criticism from international observers and human rights organizations. The announcement follows months of stalled ceasefire talks with Hamas and a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The decision signals a dramatic shift in Israel’s Gaza strategy, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that operations would be “intensive” and prolonged, moving away from short-term incursions in favor of long-term ground presence. The plan, according to government officials, will unfold in phases and may take several months to execute.
Expanded Military Offensive and Strategic Control
According to a report by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, the newly approved strategy involves a phased takeover of Gaza, beginning with specific regions before expanding to encompass the full territory. Israeli forces have already established control over roughly one-third of Gaza, setting up what they describe as “security zones” to protect Israeli border communities.
Netanyahu confirmed that Israel would not withdraw from these zones, and instead, intends to expand its military footprint. “The goal is to eliminate Hamas’s ability to operate and ensure the long-term security of Israeli citizens,” he said in a video statement.
The military’s approach marks a departure from prior operations, indicating Israel’s readiness to hold captured territory for an extended period. Defense officials have stated that the operation will not begin until after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region next week.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Israel’s expanded offensive has significantly worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 2.3 million Palestinians are trapped with limited access to food, water, and medical care. The United Nations has issued repeated warnings that the population faces imminent famine due to the Israeli blockade on aid.
As part of its new strategy, Israel plans to replace international aid organizations with private contractors to manage humanitarian aid, a move that has raised alarms among humanitarian workers and NGOs.
Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, criticized Israel’s demand for the UN to suspend its aid distribution system in Gaza. “This is not a solution. This is collective punishment,” Egeland stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Mounting Civilian Casualties
Since Israel resumed its offensive in March, following the breakdown of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, the toll on civilians has been devastating. According to Gaza health authorities, more than 52,000 Palestinians—mostly civilians—have been killed since the war began on October 7, 2023. The initial Hamas-led attack on Israel left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 hostages taken, according to official Israeli figures.
Israel’s prolonged air and ground campaign has destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure, displacing the vast majority of Gaza’s population. The Israeli government’s approval of a complete territorial seizure signals little intention of winding down the military operation.
Political Division Inside Israel
Domestically, the Israeli government remains divided over the future of Gaza. While far-right ministers, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have openly called for reoccupation and permanent displacement of Gaza’s population, others—especially military leaders—have expressed caution about the long-term implications of occupation.
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Israel’s newly appointed Chief of Staff, has reportedly resisted calls to fully choke off humanitarian aid and has emphasized the need to allow limited assistance into Gaza to prevent regional destabilization.
Public sentiment in Israel is also shifting. Recent opinion polls suggest that a growing number of citizens favor a negotiated hostage release and a ceasefire over continued military escalation. Protests have intensified outside the Knesset, with families of hostages demanding answers from the government.
\Geopolitical Risks and International Fallout
The timing of Israel’s new offensive comes as the region faces increasing volatility. The Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen recently fired a missile that landed near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, adding a new layer of complexity to Israel’s security calculus. At the same time, tensions in the West Bank and along the Lebanese border persist.
The United Nations and several international human rights organizations have accused Israel of violating international humanitarian law. On May 15, the UN’s humanitarian chief labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal,” citing the scale of civilian casualties, mass displacement, and systemic destruction of essential services.
The Biden administration has maintained a cautious position. While reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense, U.S. officials have urged restraint and emphasized the importance of protecting civilian lives and allowing humanitarian access.
A Critical Moment for Human Rights
Israel’s plan to seize full control of the Gaza Strip marks a turning point in the conflict and raises urgent legal, moral, and humanitarian questions. As the military prepares to expand its operations, international calls for accountability are growing louder. Human rights advocates warn that the continued blockade and targeted destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute war crimes under international law.
With the humanitarian situation in Gaza rapidly deteriorating and prospects for peace slipping away, the international community faces mounting pressure to act decisively—not just to secure a ceasefire, but to uphold fundamental human rights and prevent further civilian suffering.
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