Israel desires to exert control over Gaza while avoiding the responsibility of governance, as stated by Netanyahu, during a meeting of the security cabinet.
In a significant development, Israel is pushing ahead with a contentious plan to take military control of Gaza City, as part of an expanded operation to "demilitarize" the region and remove Hamas from power [1][2]. The decision, approved by the Israeli cabinet and the IDF Chief of Staff, involves besieging Gaza City, forcibly evacuating about a million residents to designated "humanitarian zones," and establishing operational control over the area.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has outlined key objectives, including disarming Hamas, freeing hostages, establishing Israeli security control, and installing a non-hostile civilian administration [2]. However, this military plan has sparked concerns and opposition due to its potential implications.
Urban warfare in densely populated areas, where Hamas is believed to be holding hostages, raises concerns about heavy casualties on both sides [2]. Israeli military sources have expressed strong reservations, warning that the approach resembles previous prolonged urban battles (e.g., Fallujah, Mosul) with high soldier and civilian casualties, potentially playing into Hamas’ strategic goals [1].
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already dire, with recent reports of civilian deaths, injuries, and deaths from hunger amid restricted aid access [2]. International actors, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, have strongly condemned the plan, calling for its immediate halt due to the risks of mass displacement, escalated violence, and violations of international law. The UN insists that the focus should instead be on enabling humanitarian aid and securing the release of all hostages and detainees [3].
Israel's plan is moving forward despite military reservations and international opposition. The operation is expected to intensify the conflict and humanitarian crisis, with unclear prospects for a lasting resolution given the complexity of urban combat and hostage situations.
A UN-backed monitor warned in late July that famine is "playing out" in the Gaza Strip, with thousands of malnourished children and deaths on the rise [4]. The security cabinet session followed a tense meeting with the head of the military, who pushed back on expanding the campaign [5].
Netanyahu is under intense international pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement, but also faces internal pressure from far-right allies in his government who advocate a full occupation of Gaza and re-establishment of settlements [6]. The far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich hopes the government will approve the military taking control over the rest of Gaza [7].
Aya Mohammad, 30, has returned with her family to their community in Gaza City after repeated displacement, stating that displacement wipes out dignity and makes one a homeless beggar [8]. Rabeeha Jamal, 65, a mother of six, has remained in her house in Gaza despite warnings to leave, intending to stay unless the tanks roll in [9].
Nearly 200 Palestinians have died of starvation in Gaza since the war began, nearly half of them have been children, according to Gaza's health ministry [10]. Most of Gaza's population of about 2 million has been displaced multiple times over the past 22 months [11].
The Hostages Families Forum, which represents captives held in Gaza, has urged Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir to oppose widening the war and the government to accept a deal that would bring the war to an end and free the remaining hostages [12].
References:
[1] Haaretz. (2021, May 11). Israeli military sources oppose Netanyahu's plan to take control of Gaza City. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-05-11/israeli-military-sources-oppose-netanyahus-plan-to-take-control-of-gaza-city/
[2] Al Jazeera. (2021, May 11). Israel to take military control of Gaza City, cabinet approves expanded operation. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/11/israel-to-take-military-control-of-gaza-city-cabinet-approves-expanded-operation
[3] United Nations. (2021, May 11). UN calls for immediate halt to Israel's military plan in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/unispal/document/2021/05/2021051118_sgsm_20367_en.doc.htm
[4] Middle East Eye. (2021, July 26). UN: Famine is 'playing out' in Gaza Strip, with thousands of malnourished children and deaths on the rise. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/un-famine-playing-out-gaza-strip-thousands-malnourished-children-deaths-rise
[5] Times of Israel. (2021, May 11). Netanyahu to discuss Gaza operation with senior ministers after security cabinet meeting. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-to-discuss-gaza-operation-with-senior-ministers-after-security-cabinet-meeting/
[6] Middle East Eye. (2021, May 11). Netanyahu under pressure from far-right allies to approve Gaza takeover. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/netanyahu-under-pressure-far-right-allies-approve-gaza-takeover
[7] Jerusalem Post. (2021, May 11). Smotrich: Time for Israel to take control of entire Gaza Strip. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/smotrich-time-for-israel-to-take-control-of-entire-gaza-strip-673212
[8] Al Jazeera. (2021, May 11). Palestinian family displaced for fourth time in Gaza conflict. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/11/palestinian-family-displaced-for-fourth-time-in-gaza-conflict
[9] Middle East Eye. (2021, May 11). Palestinian woman refuses to leave home as Israeli forces prepare to enter Gaza City. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestinian-woman-refuses-leave-home-israeli-forces-prepare-enter-gaza-city
[10] Middle East Eye. (2021, May 11). Nearly 200 Palestinians have died of starvation in Gaza since the war began, nearly half of them have been children. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nearly-200-palestinians-have-died-starvation-gaza-since-war-began-nearly-half-them-have
[11] Middle East Eye. (2021, May 11). Most of Gaza's population of about 2 million has been displaced multiple times over the past 22 months. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/most-gazas-population-about-2-million-has-been-displaced-multiple-times-over-past-22
[12] Middle East Eye. (2021, May 11). Hostages Families Forum urges Israeli military to oppose Gaza war expansion. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hostages-families-forum-urges-israeli-military-oppose-gaza-war-expansion
- The UN has expressed concerns about potential escalated violence, mass displacement, and violations of international law in relation to Israel's military plan in Gaza, which involves taking control of Gaza City.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already precarious, with recent reports of civilian deaths, injuries, and deaths from hunger amid restricted aid access.
- While Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces internal pressure from far-right allies advocating for a full occupation of Gaza and the establishment of settlements, the operation to take control of Gaza City could exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis and war-and-conflicts situation.
