Israel’s security cabinet approves plan to control Gaza, not occupy it

The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved the plan to occupy Gaza. A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the Security Cabinet had approved the Prime Minister’s proposal to occupy Gaza City.

According to local sources, the Israeli army is preparing to occupy the entirety of “Gaza City” in the Gaza Strip.

According to the US-based news site Axios, an Israeli official stated that the attack the army is preparing for will only cover Gaza City and will not extend to refugee camps or other areas.

According to the official, the goal is to forcibly displace all civilians from Gaza City by October 7, directing them to refugee camps in the central parts and surrounding areas. Subsequently, a ground offensive will be launched against the remaining Hamas members in the city, and the city will be placed under a complete siege.

The term “control” was preferred over “occupation”

As reported by one of Israel’s leading newspapers, Yediot Aharonot, the word “occupation” was deliberately avoided in the Security Cabinet meeting due to legal responsibilities. Instead, the term “control” was preferred.

A senior Israeli official, also speaking to Yediot Aharonot, said, “Our intention is to occupy Gaza, but we use the term ‘control’ in official documents and statements for legal reasons.”

According to the newspaper, this choice was made to avoid the direct responsibilities towards civilians in occupied territories under international law.

The Israeli Security Cabinet, which discussed the occupation of the entire Gaza Strip, held a meeting yesterday evening.

Israel will not assume civil administration

As reported by The Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated before the cabinet meeting that Israel aims to establish military control over the entire Gaza Strip but does not want to hold the territory. Netanyahu indicated that after the elimination of Hamas, Gaza would be handed over to Arab forces outside the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said that Israel wants to take control of the entire 26-mile Gaza Strip, stating, “We have to do this to ensure our security, to eliminate Hamas, and to allow the people to live freely. But we do not want to hold Gaza. We want to establish a security perimeter, but we do not want to govern.”

Netanyahu stated that a detailed plan for the post-Hamas era would be prepared and that Israel would not assume civil administration. He also said that the Palestinian Authority would not play any role in this process.

“A temporary Arab force will take over”

Speaking to CNN-News18, Netanyahu said, “We have no plan to occupy or annex Gaza. Our goal is to destroy Hamas, rescue our hostages, and then hand Gaza over to a temporary government.” He emphasized that they want the region to be managed by Arab forces during this transition period, but this administration must not pose a threat to Israel.

Netanyahu also stated that Gaza would be left neither to the Palestinian Authority nor to Hamas: “We will have overall security. We will provide the security perimeter.”

Stating that they want the war in Gaza to end as soon as possible, Netanyahu said, “If Hamas lays down its arms and releases the hostages, the war will end tomorrow. Even the Palestinians in Gaza are fighting against Hamas.”

Israel currently controls about 75% of the Gaza Strip but is staying away from areas where hostages are believed to be held. Although civilians in the areas where the ground operation is being conducted have been called to evacuate, a civil administration has not yet been established.

“The day after” agreement with the US

In his interview on Fox News, Netanyahu did not give a clear answer to the question of whether US President Donald Trump had given explicit approval for Israel to completely control Gaza: “He just says, ‘Israel will do what is necessary.'”

Stating that there is no detailed plan for the post-war period in Gaza but that they have agreed on some principles with the US, Netanyahu listed these principles as follows:

— The disarmament of Hamas

— The demilitarization of Gaza

— The release of hostages

— Israel’s security responsibility

— A civil administration that wants to live in peace, outside of Israeli control

Netanyahu also stated that safe zones would be created for the people of Gaza, and aid for food, water, electricity, health, and infrastructure would be delivered.

Harsh reaction from Hamas: “A coup attempt”

Hamas reacted harshly to Netanyahu’s statements, saying that this plan is “an open coup against the negotiation process” and that the hostages have been written off. Hamas stated that they would consider any administration formed in line with Netanyahu’s proposal as an “occupying force.”

Jordan: The decision must be made by the Palestinians

Speaking to Reuters following Netanyahu’s statements, a Jordanian official emphasized that “only the Palestinians can decide on the future of Gaza,” adding that Arab countries would not accept Netanyahu’s plans and “will not clean up the mess he has created.”

Israeli opposition: Hostages and soldiers are in danger

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid sharply criticized Netanyahu’s plan, saying, “This plan leads to a new war, the death of more hostages, more martyred soldiers, and public damages worth billions of shekels.”

Yisrael Beiteinu party leader and former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said, “The prime minister of October 7 is once again sacrificing the security of Israeli citizens for his own seat.”

Democrats party leader Yair Golan described Netanyahu as a prime minister who is “weak, easily influenced, devoid of decision-making ability, and incapable of bridging the gap between the professional staff and the messianic group that controls the government.”

Golan stated that the decision is a “disaster that will last for generations” and added: “Our sons and grandsons will continue to patrol the streets of Gaza. We will pay hundreds of billions over the years. All of this is being done just for political survival and messianic dreams. How does the government plan to disarm Gaza? Will we be crawling through tunnels, collecting the last Kalashnikovs?”

The plan must be stopped immediately, says UN

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated that Israel’s plan must be stopped urgently. Emphasizing that the occupation plan violates the decisions of the International Court of Justice, Türk warned that it would lead to more death, destruction, and forced displacement. Noting that the war in Gaza must end immediately, Türk said that Israel must clear the way for humanitarian aid and protect the lives of civilians. He also called for the unconditional release of both the hostages in Gaza and the Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel.