Israeli government authorizes seizure of Gaza City; Prime Minister issues public statement
In a significant development, Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan aiming at a full military takeover of Gaza City and the entire Gaza Strip. This move, however, has been met with strong opposition from the United Nations and human rights organisations.
The proposed plan, as stated by Israeli officials, involves evacuating Palestinian civilians from Gaza City and launching a ground offensive there. This move would reverse a 2005 decision by Israel where they withdrew their citizens and soldiers from Gaza, while retaining control over its borders, airspace, and utilities.
However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has strongly opposed this move, calling for an immediate halt to the takeover plan. He warned that such military control would violate international law, exacerbate violence, cause massive forced displacement, suffering, and potentially atrocity crimes due to further escalation.
The UN has demanded an immediate cessation of the military takeover plan, unfettered humanitarian aid access into Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Palestinian groups, and the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel. The UN's position underscores the necessity of ending the war and enabling peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians rather than further military occupation.
Regarding the potential timeline and governance arrangements, there is no publicly available detailed timeline or confirmed governance plan following the proposed takeover. The UN stresses that Israel's complete military control contradicts the International Court of Justice's rulings and calls instead for ending occupation consistent with a two-State solution, respecting Palestinian self-determination.
Notably, President Donald Trump has declined to say whether he supported or opposed a potential full military takeover of Gaza by Israel. On the other hand, Hamas has denounced Netanyahu's comments as a "blatant coup" against the negotiation process, stating that any force formed to govern Gaza would be treated as an "occupying" force linked to Israel.
The Egyptian proposal, backed by Arab leaders, envisaged the creation of an administrative committee of independent, professional Palestinian technocrats to govern Gaza after the war. Arab countries would only support what Palestinians agree and decide on, and security in Gaza should be handled through "legitimate Palestinian institutions," according to a Jordanian official source.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel intends to take military control of the entire Gaza strip, but did not elaborate on the governance arrangements or which Arab countries could be involved. The Hostages Families Forum, which represents captives held in Gaza, has urged military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to oppose widening the war.
As of August 2025, there are 50 hostages still held in Gaza, of whom Israeli officials believe 20 are alive. Opinion polls show most Israelis want the war to end in a deal that would see the release of the remaining hostages.
The White House had no immediate comment on the potential full military takeover of Gaza by Israel. Recent images of starving children from Gaza have shocked the world and fuelled international criticism of Israel over the sharply worsening conditions in the enclave. The Israeli military says it controls about 75% of Gaza, and most of Gaza's population of about 2 million has been displaced multiple times over the past 22 months.
- The planned military takeover of Gaza City and the entire Gaza Strip by Israel has escalated to the realm of international news, with the United Nations and human rights organizations expressing strong opposition.
- The proposed plan involves a ground offensive following the evacuation of Palestinian civilians from Gaza City, a move that would overturn a 2005 decision where Israel withdrew its citizens and soldiers from Gaza.
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has warned that Israel's military control could violate international law, exacerbate violence, and potentially lead to atrocity crimes.
- In response to the proposed military takeover, the UN has demanded immediate cessation, humanitarian aid access, release of hostages, and the release of Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel, emphasizing the need for a peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.
