Netanyahu reportedly aims to seize control of Gaza in its entirety.
Israel's decision to fully occupy the Gaza Strip is causing widespread concern and potential humanitarian crisis. According to recent reports, the Israeli military currently controls around 75% of the Gaza Strip, with the remaining parts still under the control of Hamas.
The plan approved by Israel's security cabinet involves initially taking control of Gaza City and could extend to the entire Gaza Strip, marking a significant escalation in the conflict with Hamas. This move has been met with condemnation from the United Nations and other international actors, who cite violations of international law and the principles of self-determination.
The UN's top human rights official has explicitly called for an immediate halt to this military takeover, warning it would cause massive forced displacement, more killings, extensive suffering, and potential atrocity crimes. The UN has urged Israel to focus instead on humanitarian aid access and the immediate release of hostages and detainees to prevent further deterioration.
According to Israeli estimates, there are currently still 50 hostages in the hands of Hamas. Of these hostages, 20 are believed to be alive. Reports suggest that Netanyahu is willing to take the risk of military operations in areas where hostages are being held, despite the Israeli military's concerns about the potential endangerment and killing of hostages if Israeli troops approach the places of their captivity.
The Israeli military chief, Eyal Zamir, has reportedly had heated discussions with ultra-right ministers about the full occupation of the Gaza Strip in previous security cabinet meetings. Ministers from the right-wing and ultra-religious parties in the ruling coalition have demanded the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, the deportation of the Palestinian population to other countries, and the establishment of Jewish settlements in the coastal strip.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for almost 22 months, with the violence beginning on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and its allies killed over 1,200 people and took another 250 as hostages in the Gaza Strip.
As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, international pressure is mounting against Israel. The potential consequences of this occupation include large-scale displacement, increased civilian deaths, widespread suffering, destruction of infrastructure, and possible war crimes. The international community is urging Israel to reconsider its decision and pursue a negotiated two-state solution instead.
[1] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, "Occupation of Gaza Strip: UN Calls for Immediate Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid Access," (2023). [2] The Times of Israel, "Israel's Security Cabinet Approves Plan to Fully Occupy Gaza Strip," (2023).
- The decision by Israel to fully occupy the Gaza Strip is sparking debate and scrutiny in the realm of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
- The UN's call for an immediate halt to the military takeover of Gaza by Israel is emphasized amidst concerns of catastrophic displacement, increased civilian deaths, and potential war crimes, issues which fall under the categories of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news.
