Israel approves full ‘conquest’ of Gaza – media
The Israeli government has approved a plan for the complete military occupation of Gaza and the forced relocation of its Palestinian inhabitants to the southern part of the territory, multiple news outlets have reported citing unnamed officials.
According to officials quoted by the AP, the new plan is meant to help Israel achieve its war aims of defeating Hamas and freeing the hostages held in Gaza. Israel says the militant group is holding 59 captives, although about 35 are believed to be dead.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet voted unanimously in favor of the strategy during a meeting on Monday morning, two sources told the media. Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces Eyal Zamir has also announced the mobilization of tens of thousands of additional reservists.
“The plan will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection,” an Israeli official stated, as quoted by Agence France Presse.
The move likely will lead to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, which could exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis, the AP reports.
Zamir announced the mobilization on Sunday, emphasizing that more troops were necessary to “increase pressure” on Hamas. The elimination of the militant group is the declared aim of the Israeli offensive, in retaliation for a Hamas-led incursion into Israel in October 2023.
The attack resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities in Israel and the abduction of dozens of hostages. Israeli bombardments have claimed over 50,000 lives in Gaza, predominantly civilians.
Israel has faced accusations of indiscriminate bombings, deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, and obstruction of humanitarian aid. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply due to an Israeli-imposed blockade, leading to severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and other essential resources. International organizations have expressed grave concern over the crisis and its impact on the civilian population.
In February, US President Donald Trump advocated the “voluntary” relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to countries such as Jordan and Egypt, saying that it would allow the enclave to be transformed into a resort zone.
While many countries have condemned Trump’s proposal, Netanyahu called it a “remarkable idea” that should be “pursued.”
