Israel’s political-security cabinet approved a plan Friday to take control of Gaza City, the largest urban center in the enclave, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his push for total victory over Hamas.
The plan, first reported by Axios, calls for evacuating civilians from Gaza City and launching a ground offensive. It is part of Netanyahu’s broader vision — revealed in a Fox News interview Thursday — to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip before eventually handing governance to “Arab forces” that would ensure security and prevent Hamas’ return.
“We don’t want to keep it… We want a security perimeter,” Netanyahu said. “We want to hand it over to Arab forces… That’s not possible with Hamas.”
Resistance Inside Israel’s Leadership
Reports describe this week’s meeting with military chief Eyal Zamir as tense, with Zamir pushing back on expanding operations. Cabinet sources say alternative proposals would not achieve the defeat of Hamas or the return of hostages.
The plan will still need approval from Israel’s full cabinet, which could meet Sunday. Right-wing members have long criticized Israel’s 2005 Gaza withdrawal for enabling Hamas to seize power in 2006.
Hostages and Hamas Response
Hamas slammed the plan as a “blatant coup” against ongoing mediation, accusing Netanyahu of seeking to “sacrifice” captives. Israel believes 20 of 50 hostages still held in Gaza are alive. Most freed so far were released through negotiations, but talks collapsed in July.
The terrorist group demands that any deal include a permanent end to the war, something Israel says Hamas has no intention of honoring.
International Reaction
Arab officials insist Gaza’s post-war security should be managed by “legitimate Palestinian institutions”, not Arab forces linked to Israel. The U.N. has called reports of expanded Israeli military operations “deeply alarming.”
President Donald Trump has not said whether he supports a full takeover of Gaza, but Netanyahu’s government remains committed to dismantling Hamas following the group’s October 2023 attack, which triggered the war.
