Israeli authorities rule out substantial plans for annexing the Gaza Territory.
In a recent development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a contentious plan to annex parts of the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not agree to a ceasefire. This proposal, which is yet to receive formal approval from the Israeli State Security Cabinet, has been met with a mix of military, humanitarian, legal, and political implications.
According to Minister Smotrich, the plan involves the establishment of settlements in the occupied northern part of the Gaza Strip. Israel has reportedly created a special body to manage the annexed territories, should the option of annexing the Gaza Strip be implemented.
The plan, if executed, would entail a ground offensive to capture Gaza City, a move that Israeli military sources have warned could result in heavy casualties among both soldiers and Gazan civilians. This operation is considered a risky "disaster" that may advantage Hamas militarily, similar to urban battles in Fallujah and Mosul.
The plan also involves forcibly transferring about a million residents into designated zones under siege conditions, raising serious concerns over civilian suffering, destruction, and access to humanitarian aid. This action has been condemned by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) as it warns it will almost certainly lead to war crimes and crimes against humanity due to forcible population transfers, extensive destruction, and further atrocity crimes.
Netanyahu's public declaration of the plan, despite domestic military objections, has made a withdrawal difficult without substantial external pressure. The proposal has generated international controversy and tensions in ongoing ceasefire negotiations, with some critics framing it as an escalation that undermines peace efforts.
The escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict began on October 7, 2023, and since then, numerous peace attempts have been made. The recent indirect talks between Israel and Hamas on a Gaza Strip ceasefire resumed in Doha, Qatar on July 6, 2025, but the first rounds ended without result. On July 24, the US, acting as a mediator in the peace process, and Israel withdrew their delegations from Doha.
The report of Benjamin Netanyahu's consideration of annexing the Gaza Strip comes from American broadcaster ABC and several international media outlets, but the sources remain unnamed in the article. The full feasibility and seriousness of the annexation plan remain uncertain, but Israeli authorities are actively preparing for expanded military control over Gaza.
Major human rights groups urge an immediate halt to the occupation plan and emphasize the necessity of a ceasefire that safeguards civilians and facilitates hostage release. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community is closely monitoring the developments in the region and the potential implications of Netanyahu's proposed plan.
The proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involving annexation of parts of the Gaza Strip, is rooted in contentious politics and general news, sparking international controversy and tensions in ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The plan, if executed, may lead to war crimes and crimes against humanity, as stated by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), due to forcible population transfers, extensive destruction, and further atrocity crimes.
