Israeli Cabinet ministers approved a plan early Monday to take over the Gaza Strip for an unspecified period of time, a move that dampens hopes of a ceasefire with Hamas in the near term.
Israeli officials on Monday suggested the plans, which would mark a sharp turn away from talks proposing an Arab-led transition in Gaza, would not be put into action until after President Trump's planned Middle East visit later this month.
Two Israeli officials confirmed the plans to The Associated Press, as well as other outlets, saying the goal is to increase pressure on Hamas to free hostages held in Gaza and to isolate the militant group from civilian populations to aid in Israel’s goal in destroying Hamas entirely.
Israeli officials also said it would also facilitate aid to civilians, which has been halted for two months under an Israeli siege.
Critics are calling the new plans an occupation, and say there's little hope for the surviving hostages if Israel follows through.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on Israeli officials to prioritize the hostages and secure a deal quickly, the AP reported.
Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is being held hostage, spoke at a Knesset committee meeting on Monday and called on soldiers “not to report for reserve duty for moral and ethical reasons,” the AP reported.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid in a radio interview questioned Netanyahu’s plan to mobilize tens of thousands of reservists without a clear goal for the operation, according to Al Jazeera.
The European Union also expressed its concern over what it called an “extension of the operation by Israeli forces in Gaza,” which it said would “result in further casualties and suffering for the Palestinian population.”
“We urge Israel to exercise the utmost restraint,” European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said during a Monday press briefing.
Israel National News cited a senior security source, who reportedly stated that, under the plan, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) “will increase its forces and act forcefully to defeat and subdue Hamas and destroy its military and governmental capabilities, while creating strong pressure for the release of all the hostages.”
“A central component of the plan is the broad evacuation of the entire Gazan population from the fighting zones, including northern Gaza, to areas in southern Gaza, while creating a separation between them and Hamas terrorists – in order to allow the IDF operational freedom of action,” the security source added.
The plan approved by the Cabinet, according to the official, would use civilian companies to distribute humanitarian aid, seeking to bypass and undermine Hamas as the governing authority in the territory. It would move more than a million Palestinians into one southern pocket of the already densely packed strip.
A defense official told the AP that the plan would not take place until after President Trump wraps up his visit to the region later this month, a timeline likely meant to ramp up pressure on Hamas to strike a ceasefire agreement.
“There is still a window of opportunity until President Trump concludes his visit to the Middle East, if Hamas understands we are serious,” security cabinet Minister Zeev Elkin told Israel’s Kan news outlet on Monday, Reuters reported.
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