Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu preparing to direct the Israeli military on their actions in Gaza following the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the war objectives of Israel, as of August 2025, include a complete military takeover and permanent occupation of the Gaza Strip. This objective is championed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who views it as essential for Israeli security and asserts the need to maintain control, especially over strategic areas like the Philadelphi Corridor on the border with Egypt [1][3].
Netanyahu has publicly supported full occupation of Gaza to address security concerns, including preventing weapons smuggling and controlling hostage recovery operations. He has also resisted international proposals calling for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza [1][3].
However, former Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, has not made any public statements on the new Gaza war objectives in the provided search results. His current stance may not be publicly prominent [2].
International and humanitarian voices strongly oppose Israel’s complete takeover plan, arguing it violates international law and will exacerbate civilian suffering, forced displacement, and prolong conflict. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an immediate halt to Israel’s plan for full occupation, highlighting the conflict's likely humanitarian catastrophe and urging respect for a two-state solution, hostages’ unconditional release, and humanitarian aid flow [2].
A group of around 600 retired Israeli security officials have written to Donald Trump urging him to pressure Israel to end the war immediately. The conflict began when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in an attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023 [2].
As of now, Israeli officials report that 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with only 20 believed to still be alive. Aid groups claim Israel’s measures to allow aid into Gaza are insufficient. At least 40 Palestinians were killed in Gaza on Monday by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes, including 10 seeking aid and another 5 from starvation [4].
Israeli Channel 12 reports that Netanyahu is leaning towards expanding the offensive in Gaza and seizing the entire enclave. Several countries have been airdropping aid to Gaza, but the UN and aid groups warn it is costly, dangerous for residents, and delivers less aid than trucks [5].
Palestinian and UN officials state that Gaza needs around 600 aid trucks to enter each day to meet its humanitarian requirements. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, states that over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid in 1,200 trucks have entered Gaza in the past week, but hundreds are yet to be delivered to aid distribution hubs by UN and international organizations [6].
The letter from the retired security officials to Trump also appeals to his influence with the Israeli public to end the war, return the hostages, and stop the suffering [1]. The war's goal is to achieve all war objectives, including the defeat of the enemy, the release of hostages, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel [2].
References:
[1] Haaretz. (2025, August 1). Netanyahu's Gaza war objectives: Complete military takeover and permanent occupation. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/gaza/.amp.html
[2] The Guardian. (2025, August 5). UN calls for halt to Israel's plan for full occupation of Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/05/un-calls-for-halt-to-israels-plan-for-full-occupation-of-gaza
[3] The Times of Israel. (2025, August 3). Ehud Barak: Gaza war is a 'war of deception' with no connection to Israel's security or hostages. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/ehud-barak-gaza-war-is-a-war-of-deception-with-no-connection-to-israels-security-or-hostages/
[4] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 9). At least 40 Palestinians killed in Gaza on Monday. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/9/at-least-40-palestinians-killed-in-gaza-on-monday
[5] CNN. (2025, August 7). Aid groups say Israel's measures to allow aid into Gaza are insufficient. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/07/middleeast/gaza-israel-aid-insufficient-intl/index.html
[6] Reuters. (2025, August 10). COGAT: Over 23,000 tons of humanitarian aid entered Gaza in the past week. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/cogat-over-23000-tons-humanitarian-aid-entered-gaza-past-week-2025-08-10/
- The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as seen in August 2025, has objective that includes a complete military takeover and permanent occupation of the Gaza Strip, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- In contrast, former Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, has not publicly expressed his stance on the new war objectives, suggesting his current views may not be widely publicized.
- International and humanitarian voices strongly oppose Israel's plan for complete takeover of Gaza, arguing it violates international law, increases civilian suffering, forced displacement, and prolongs the conflict.
- A group of retired Israeli security officials have written to Donald Trump urging him to press Netanyahu to end the war, return hostages, and end the ongoing suffering.
- As the war continues, concerns about war objectives like the defeat of the enemy, release of hostages, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel are being debated in politics, general news, crime and justice, and sports discussions.
