Israel plans to seize control of Gaza, as stated by Netanyahu
Israel's Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has approved a plan to militarily occupy Gaza City as the first phase of an eventual full occupation of the Gaza Strip. The announcement, made on Thursday, has sparked controversy both domestically and internationally.
The plan, which is expected to last several months, involves disarming Hamas, returning hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining Israeli security control, and establishing an alternative civilian government that would be neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. The intention is to establish a future civilian administration free of Hamas' influence in the Gaza Strip.
During an interview with FOX News, Netanyahu expressed a desire to hand over the governance of the Gaza Strip to Arab forces after securing a security perimeter. He emphasized that the goal is not for permanent governance of the Gaza Strip, but to assure Israel's security, remove Hamas from the Gaza Strip, and allow for a different local administration that would not advocate the destruction of Israel.
However, Netanyahu did not mention any specific regional Arab partners that would support the new local administration.
The military campaign has caused extensive devastation to the Gaza enclave, resulting in the displacement of approximately 1 million Palestinian civilians from Gaza City and nearby areas. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has warned that the occupation would cause significant civilian suffering, forcible population transfers, widespread destruction, and likely constitute further war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICJ has called for an immediate halt to the plan and for a lasting ceasefire.
Similarly, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stated that the planned full military takeover of Gaza City violates international law and urged Israel to stop the offensive immediately. He emphasized the risk of massive displacement, killings, and atrocities, and called on Israel to allow unimpeded humanitarian aid access and for the unconditional release of hostages and Palestinians detained in Israel.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the Gaza enclave. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
In summary, Israel's plan to occupy Gaza City and eventually the Gaza Strip faces significant humanitarian, legal, and diplomatic opposition internationally due to its severe impact on civilians and potential violations of international law. The plan, however, is a part of Israel's broader effort to control and demilitarize Gaza while removing Hamas influence and establishing a new civilian administration.
[1] The Times of Israel. (2025, August 7). Israel cabinet approves plan for military occupation of Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-cabinet-approves-plan-for-military-occupation-of-gaza/ [2] International Commission of Jurists. (2025, August 8). ICJ warns of further war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.icj.org/icj-warns-of-further-war-crimes-and-crimes-against-humanity-in-gaza/ [3] UN News. (2025, August 9). UN rights chief condemns planned Israeli military takeover of Gaza City. Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1093082
- The proposed military occupation of Gaza City, as detailed in a recently announced plan, has stirred debates not only within Israel but also on the world stage, with the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressing concerns about its potential violations of international law and severe impact on civilians.
- Amidst escalating war-and-conflicts and general-news headlines, politics surrounding Israel's plan to occupy Gaza City and demilitarize Gaza Strip are raising questions about the long-term stability and humanitarian consequences of such actions, with international bodies like the ICJ and UN raising alarms about possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.
