hostile takeover of Gaza by Israel may prolong hostilities for decades, questionable if goals will be met
Fresh Take:
The decision by Israel to intensify military operations within Gaza brings significant ramifications for the future of the Strip and its 2 million Palestinian residents. This move signals a failure on Israel's part to achieve its objectives so far. The ongoing conflict hasn't completed its mission of forcing Hamas to surrender nor has it resulted in the release of more hostages.
The Israeli cabinet now plans to escalate military pressure as their strategy shifts towards "clear and hold" rather than the previous "clear and leave." This tactic, used by Western forces such as the US and UK in Iraq and Afghanistan, aims to gain control of targeted regions, albeit with the intention to withdraw ultimately. However, the same cannot be said with certainty regarding Gaza.
There's a divide among Israeli commentators on the goal of this plan - to conquer and hold all of Gaza or just significant portions. Moreover, the duration of this "hold" period is unclear, leaving open questions about whether it will end with the release of hostages, the weakening of Hamas, or an indefinite Israeli occupation. At present, the terms of this occupation remain undefined, but the possibility of a permanent Israeli presence in Gaza no longer seems unrealistic or far-fetched.
Deeper Insights:
- Israel's military actions have resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis for Gaza, with over 50,000 reported deaths and extensive infrastructure damage[5]. The Israeli blockade on aid has been in place since March 2025[5].
- In the absence of international intervention, Israel intends to push Palestinians into southern Gaza to gain operational freedom elsewhere. Reports suggest that the Israeli government is considering moving the population into the Rafah area on the border with Egypt, effectively making it an enclave with Egypt bearing responsibility for providing aid[5].
- The occupational tactics used by Israel, such as territorial fragmentation, creating buffer zones, and maintaining military presence, could violate international law and perpetuate accusations of forced displacement[1][5]. The Israeli government's motive is to destroy Hamas' governing capabilities[4], though a clear post-conflict governance plan has yet to be outlined. The Crisis Group cautions that current operations could result in a permanent alteration of Gaza's territorial reality[5].
Key entities:
- Israel
- Hamas
- Gaza
- Israel-Hamas conflict
Stay notified by installing our app for free to receive breaking news. Despite some flickers of hope for a new agreement following President Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar this month, the prospect of prolonged fighting remains high for Gaza.
- The deepening war in Gaza, due to Israel's decision to escalate military operations, is causing significant concerns in the realm of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
- The Israeli cabinet's tactic shift towards a "clear and hold" strategy, similar to Western forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, raises the possibility of a permanent Israeli presence in Gaza, blurring thelines of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- The devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by over 50,000 reported deaths and extensive infrastructure damage, persists due to Israel's blockade on aid since March 2025.
- The international community must take note of Israel's occupational tactics, such as territorial fragmentation and maintaining military presence, in Gaza, lest they become a violation of international law and perpetuate forced displacement accusations against Israel.
