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<\/a><\/p>\nIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the nation on February 20, 2025. (Screenshot)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Sources within Netanyahu\u2019s government spoke to Israeli media outlets on Sunday and Monday about the plan, which would mark a stark departure in Israel\u2019s tactics in Gaza.<\/p>\n
The announcement fulfills the wishes of Netanyahu\u2019s right-wing coalition partners, who want to see Jewish resettlement in Gaza 20 years after the country unilaterally disengaged from the territory. Israeli forces removed 9,000 Jewish residents exactly 20 years ago this week.<\/p>\n
But it has been widely panned by others in the country and beyond, who see a full occupation as likely to put hostages and soldiers in harm\u2019s way without any payoff, and as moving in the wrong direction away from ending the grinding war after nearly two years.<\/p>\n
This week, 19 living past directors of Israeli military and intelligence agencies called on Netanyahu to end the war, saying that while it had begun as a just war it now had uncertain military aims and was creating suffering without results. And the IDF\u2019s chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, reportedly has opposed the occupation decision privately.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe die is cast \u2014 we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip,\u201d a senior official close to the prime minister told Ynet on Monday. \u201cThere will be activity also in areas where hostages are being held. If this doesn\u2019t suit the IDF chief of staff, he can resign.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, Israel controls around 75% of the besieged enclave, but under Netanyahu\u2019s new plan, Israel could come to control the rest of the territory. The IDF has said it opposes the occupation of the entire Gaza Strip, citing the challenges of clearing all of Hamas\u2019 infrastructure and potentially endangering the lives of the remaining Israeli hostages, according to the Times of Israel.<\/p>\n
Last year, Hamas executed six Israeli hostages after IDF forces came near, in an incident that shook the country and Jews around the world.<\/p>\n
The new vision comes after ceasefire negotiations with Hamas fully halted in recent weeks. Last month, President Donald Trump appeared to call on Israel to escalate its offensive in Gaza, telling reporters that Hamas \u201cdidn\u2019t really want to make a deal,\u201d and that Israel is \u201cgoing to have to finish the job.\u201d<\/p>\n
The decision to change the military strategy must get approval from Netanyahu\u2019s cabinet, which is reportedly meeting Tuesday to discuss the matter.<\/p>\n
But sources close to Netanyahu\u2019s government told Israeli media they understood the decision to be likely to move forward.<\/p>\n