Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled a controversial plan to launch a new military campaign in the Gaza Strip, aiming to gain full control over the region. While Netanyahu insists the move is essential for Israel’s long-term security and the elimination of Hamas, it has stirred deep concern both within Israel and among global allies.
Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu stated his government doesn’t intend to rule Gaza permanently but hopes to hand governance over to unspecified Arab entities. However, no clear post-war strategy has been shared, and questions about the feasibility and legitimacy of such a handover remain unanswered.
The Israeli security cabinet approved the operation by a majority vote, despite stark warnings from military leadership. Army Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly told Netanyahu that a full reoccupation of Gaza could be a strategic blunder, potentially worsening the humanitarian crisis and putting both hostages and Israeli soldiers at risk. Reports suggest that around 20 hostages are believed to be alive, but fears grow that an expanded offensive could lead to their deaths.
Families of the hostages echo these fears, urging the government to pursue a negotiated deal with Hamas rather than intensifying military action. According to Israeli media outlet Maariv, there's a growing belief that continuing the conflict could result in the loss of all surviving hostages.
The plan has also caused a diplomatic rift. The UK’s ambassador to Israel, Simon Walters, warned that occupying Gaza fully would be a "huge mistake." Meanwhile, the U.S. envoy Mike Huckabee took a more hands-off approach, emphasizing that Israel should determine its course independently.
Critics argue that Netanyahu may be extending the conflict to preserve his fragile ruling coalition, which includes ultranationalist ministers who oppose any form of negotiation with Hamas. Some of these officials, such as Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have gone as far as to call for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza—an action considered a potential war crime under international law.
The conflict, which began after Hamas’s deadly attack on October 7, 2023, has now claimed over 61,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. In contrast, Israel suffered 1,200 casualties in the initial Hamas assault, with 251 individuals taken hostage.
As global pressure mounts on Israel to end the war, Netanyahu's latest move could either corner Hamas into negotiations—or push the region into deeper chaos.
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