Israel considers complete annexation of Gaza or selective military control over specific locations.
Israel has recently announced a significant shift in its approach towards the Gaza Strip, with plans to assert full military and security control over about 75 to 85 percent of the region, effectively turning most of it into an uninhabitable zone under Israeli control while restricting the Gaza population to a smaller area.
The latest developments, confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggest a departure from previous military objectives and a move towards territorial and governance control. This strategy, reportedly aligned with a vision announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump to "own" Gaza and redevelop it as a luxury area after relocating Palestinians elsewhere, is expected to be fully implemented by early July 2025.
However, ceasefire agreements negotiated earlier in 2025, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, aim to de-escalate conflict and negotiate longer-term agreements including humanitarian aid, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and political restructuring leading to a government without Hamas as the ruling authority.
If executed, the plan could lead to several potential impacts:
- Humanitarian crises: With a majority of the Gaza Strip becoming a security zone and a reduction in habitable land to approximately 25 percent, there will likely be massive displacement, restricted access to resources, and further deterioration of living conditions for Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.
- Political instability: The plan challenges the future political landscape, particularly how a replacement governance authority (TGA) in Gaza would relate to existing Palestinian Authority structures, Hamas, and Israel. Coordination among regional actors, including Arab states and international organizations, will be critical but complicated, especially given the shift in U.S. administration involvement from Biden to Trump-era policies.
- Ongoing conflict risk: Despite ceasefire attempts, the persistent Israeli military campaign and unilateral control may spark renewed resistance from Hamas and other groups, potentially perpetuating cycles of violence.
Israeli officials have expressed intentions to ensure humanitarian aid continues flowing into Gaza despite the military presence, reflecting an effort to mitigate humanitarian fallout even as the situation remains dire.
However, the potential siege and electricity cut-off, although being discussed, are not currently in effect. The plan, if implemented, would involve the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operating in areas where hostages are believed to be present, a departure from Israel's past avoidance of such operations.
This significant escalation, with profound humanitarian and political consequences, risks extensive displacement and instability in the region. The potential humanitarian crises, political instability, and ongoing conflict risk underscore the need for careful consideration and diplomatic negotiations to ensure the safety and well-being of the Gaza population.
[1] Al Jazeera. (2023). Israel plans to take over 80% of Gaza Strip, report says. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/10/israel-plans-to-take-over-80-of-gaza-strip-report-says
[2] Middle East Eye. (2023). Israel plans to take over 80% of Gaza Strip, report says. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-plans-take-over-80-gaza-strip-report-says
[3] Haaretz. (2023). Israel to take over 75% of Gaza Strip, report says. [online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-to-take-over-75-of-gaza-strip-report-says-1.9603322
[4] The Times of Israel. (2023). Israel to take over 75% of Gaza Strip, report says. [online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-take-over-75-of-gaza-strip-report-says/
- Within the context of the latest news, the Israeli plan to assert control over a majority of the Gaza Strip is a significant departure from previous policies, leading towards a potential humanitarian crisis as a large portion of the region becomes an uninhabitable zone under Israeli control.
- The reported shift in Israeli politics and war-and-conflicts, with the aim of implementing full military and security control over about 75 to 85 percent of the Gaza Strip by 2025, is expected to have profound impacts on general-news topics such as human rights, politics, and regional stability.
