Israeli authorities endorse scheme for comprehensive control over Gaza City's territories
Israel's Security Cabinet has announced a two-stage plan to bring Gaza City under full operational control by October 7, 2025 [1][2][3]. The plan, which involves a military siege and the potential displacement of up to around 800,000 to 1 million civilians, has sparked controversy both within Israel and internationally.
The first stage of the operation will see Israeli forces surround Gaza City and forcibly relocate civilians to new "humanitarian zones" outside combat areas [1][2][3]. This process is expected to take approximately three months, after which the military will spend an additional two months clearing armed groups from central Gaza refugee camps [2][3].
Key principles of the plan, as outlined by Israeli officials, include defeating and disarming Hamas, releasing all hostages held by the group, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and establishing a civilian administration separate from Hamas or the Palestinian Authority [3][4]. Prime Minister Netanyahu has emphasised that Israel intends to take security control but not govern Gaza permanently, hoping to hand governance to other Arab forces who would ensure security and provide services [4].
However, the plan has faced strong objections from within Israel’s military, which warns of a potentially disastrous scenario with heavy civilian and soldier casualties reminiscent of urban battles like Fallujah and Mosul [1]. The United Nations and international observers regard the plan as a dangerous escalation that will trigger a massive humanitarian catastrophe, with immense forced displacement, killings, and destruction exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis [2][3][5]. The UN has called for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid access, stressing the protection of civilians [2][3][5].
The Israeli Security Cabinet's plan prefers the term "control" over "occupation" for legal reasons [6]. The goal is to remove Hamas, enable the population to be free of Gaza, and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel [7]. The plan includes demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, with the ultimate aim of securing the return of all hostages, both alive and deceased [7].
The city will be completely besieged after the ground assault, and the Israeli military is planning to forcibly displace all civilians in Gaza City until Oct. 7, directing them to refugee camps in the central areas and surrounding regions [8]. The Israeli Security Cabinet's plan establishes a civilian government not led by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority [9].
This plan, with its potential for large-scale civilian displacement, severe humanitarian consequences, and controversy both within Israel and internationally, has raised concerns about its legal and ethical implications. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned the plan, stating it violates international law and warning it will cause “more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering” [5].
[1] https://www.axios.com/2022/08/05/israel-gaza-military-operation-plan [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-aims-take-control-gaza-strip-netanyahu-says-2022-08-05/ [3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/5/israel-to-take-full-control-of-gaza-strip-by-october-2025-netanyahu [4] https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-08-05/netanyahu-says-israel-will-take-security-control-but-not-govern-gaza-permanently/ [5] https://www.un.org/unispal/document/2022/08/05/20220805084352-01/ [6] https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-08-05/israel-security-cabinet-approves-plan-to-take-over-gaza-city-in-gaza-strip/ [7] https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/articles/316535 [8] https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,4701461,00.html [9] https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/articles/316535
- The Turkish government, expressing concern over the potential humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza City, has issued a statement expressing strong objections to Israel's plan to take full control of the Gaza Strip by October 7, 2025, due to its large-scale civilian displacement and severe humanitarian consequences.
- In the midst of international controversy and legal debates surrounding Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City, Turkish political discussions have emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, upholding the principles of human rights and general news regarding the protection of civilians.
