Israel vows to escalate war with new plan to conquer Gaza
The Israeli security cabinet approved a strategy to take full control of the Gaza Strip. The plan includes a sustained occupation, the displacement of civilians to the south, and a new method of distributing humanitarian aid to isolate Hamas.
Israel has approved a military plan that calls for the complete conquest of the Gaza Strip and the prolonged presence of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the territory, with the goal of completely dismantling the control of the Hamas terrorist group, an Israeli official said Monday.
The decision was made Sunday evening during a meeting of the security cabinet, which unanimously approved the proposal submitted by the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.
According to the Times of Israel, the plan involves the gradual deployment of Israeli troops within the Palestinian enclave and the establishment of sustained control over the conquered areas, in what officials have described as a phased operation that could last several months.
The strategy will begin with military control of a specific, as yet undisclosed, area before expanding to other regions of Gaza. This initial phase will be accompanied by the displacement of civilians to the south of the enclave, while Israeli forces advance their operations against Hamas's infrastructure and military leadership.
"The goal is to prevent Hamas from continuing to control the territory and to directly manage security and humanitarian aid needs," a senior Israeli official said. The plan also aims to prevent Hamas from using international aid to benefit its fighters, a recurring concern for the Israeli government.
During the cabinet meeting, senior military officials warned of the risks of carrying out this offensive while the Israeli hostages are still being held by Hamas inside the Gaza Strip. The military expressed concern that a large-scale operation could endanger the lives of the captives.
Despite these warnings, the plan was approved with the support of all Cabinet members, and its implementation is not expected to begin until after US President Donald Trump's visit, scheduled for next week. Until then, Israel will continue its diplomatic efforts to achieve a temporary ceasefire and advance negotiations with Hamas for the release of the hostages.
In parallel with the military plan, the cabinet also approved a proposal to modify the mechanism for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The initiative, revealed by The Times of Israel, calls for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to stop managing direct distribution and transfer that responsibility to international organizations and private security companies. These entities would deliver food packages directly to families in Gaza, while Israeli troops would provide perimeter security to protect the process.
"Reducing Hamas's diversion of aid is key to ensuring that resources reach the most needy civilians," explained Israeli and Arab officials familiar with the matter. Israel believes that limiting Hamas's contact with supplies will hamper its ability to use resources intended for civilians for its military apparatus.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was the only cabinet member to vote against the measure, arguing that any assistance could indirectly strengthen Hamas. However, the proposal was approved by a majority and will be implemented "when conditions on the ground allow," the official explained, as quoted by Israeli media.
The Israeli offensive marks a strategic shift toward a prolonged occupation of the enclave, a possibility that authorities had so far avoided confirming. Official sources indicated that the plan is designed for "months of continuous combat" and do not rule out a temporary military administration in Gaza after Hamas's defeat.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel claims 59 captives remain in Gaza, although about 35 are believed to be dead.