Cabinet of Israel reportedly endorses strategy for annexing entire Gaza Territory
Headline: Israel Plans to Take Over Gaza Strip: What You Need to Know
Hey there, pal! Here's the skinny on what's been going down in Gaza lately.
Israel has given the green light to a mammoth plan to grab hold of the entire Gaza Strip. This military operation, aiming to crush Hamas and free hostages, is expected to face a thunderous international backlash if executed. The plan, given the nod by Israeli cabinet ministers in a wee-hour vote on May 5, 2025, also involves mobilizing a gargantuan force of reserve soldiers.
If put into action, this plan will considerably ramp up Israel's presence in the Palestinian territory, potentially leading to a humanitarian disaster, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians being herded towards southern Gaza.
Two Israeli officials spilled the beans about the plan, provided they remain anonymous because they're dishing the goods on military secrets.
Since a truce between Israel and Hamas fizzled out in mid-March, Israel has expanded its territory control in Gaza, currently commanding around 50% of the Strip. Prior to the truce termination, Israel imposed a blockade on all humanitarian aid, including vital resources like food, fuel, and water, plunging Gaza into a severe humanitarian crisis that's believed to be the worst since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict nearly 19 months ago.
The aid embargo has caused widespread hunger, and shortages have sparked a wave of looting.
The plan includes several key elements, like the seizure of the Strip and the retention of territories, blocking Hamas from distributing humanitarian aid, which Israel accuses of aiding the group's rule in Gaza, and stockpiling food and weapons. The plan also charts powerful attacks against Hamas targets, the officials shared.
Israel is reportedly in talks with various nations about Donald Trump's proposed plan to snatch Gaza and migrate its population, a move denounced by Israel's European and Arab allies. One of the officials hinted at a slow and steady approach to implementing the plan. Both sources spoke under the shroud of secrecy because they were discussing military strategy.
For weeks, Israel has been attempting to squeeze the hammer on Hamas and prick it with a lance to sow more flexibility in ceasefire discussions. However, international mediators have faced a tough task, failing to bring the warring parties any closer to a new deal, and Israel's hard-line tactics haven't prompted any change in Hamas' stance.
FYI:
- Israel controls about half of Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas in mid-March 2025.
- The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by Israel's halt on humanitarian aid, including food, fuel, and water.
- Israel's plan to annex the rest of Gaza includes military escalation and possibly displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
- The plan is gradual, with reports suggesting it may wait for U.S. President Donald Trump's expected visit to the Middle East for a definitive implementation.
Sources:
- Breaking: Israel Planning to Take Over Entire Gaza Strip
- Israel Approves Plan to Completely Capture Gaza
- Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Aid Deliveries Halted by Israel
- Trump's Gaza Takeover Plan Condemned by Israel's Allies
The plan to take over the Gaza Strip, initially greenlit by Israeli cabinet ministers in May 2025, involves the military seizure of the entire Strip and possible displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. This plan, shrouded in secrecy by two Israeli officials, is causing concerns in international politics, war-and-conflicts, and general news, with many questioning the humanitarian implications. Following the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas in mid-March 2025, Israel has already consolidated control over about half of Gaza, leading to a deepening humanitarian crisis due to a halt on essential aid like food, fuel, and water. This situation, referred to as a shortcut to a potential disaster, has resulted in widespread hunger and looting.
