Tel Aviv — Israel’s security cabinet has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to occupy Gaza City as part of efforts to “defeat Hamas,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office cited by The Times of Israel.
The plan includes provisions for providing humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones and is based on five key principles: disarming Hamas, returning all 50 remaining hostages (20 believed alive), demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, maintaining Israeli security control, and establishing an alternative civilian government not linked to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
The move comes despite opposition from IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who has warned that occupying the territory could spark a humanitarian crisis and endanger hostages. Gaza City remains among the 25% of the Strip yet to be taken, along with central Gaza refugee camps.
