JERUSALEM Gaza City- In a major escalation of its nearly two-year military campaign in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s security cabinet has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take control of Gaza City, focusing on dismantling Hamas strongholds and reshaping the territory’s governance.
Under the approved blueprint, Israeli forces will begin a phased ground operation targeting Gaza City, one of the last pockets of resistance in the northern enclave. While Netanyahu insists Israel does not intend to permanently occupy the territory, he envisions establishing a security perimeter and ultimately handing over administration to unspecified Arab forces, bypassing both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
The plan is anchored on five key principles: disarming Hamas; the return of all hostages—both living and deceased; the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip; securing Israeli military control in the area; and the establishment of an alternative civil administration not affiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
Humanitarian Alarms Sound as Gaza City Prepares for Assault
The decision carries significant humanitarian implications, especially for Gaza City’s roughly one million residents—many of whom have already been displaced and are living in severe conditions. Warnings from international and Israeli leaders suggest that a ground assault in such densely populated zones could result in catastrophic civilian casualties.
Criticism has also emerged from within Israel. Military officials, including the head of the Israel Defense Forces, have raised concerns about the practicality and potential fallout of this strategy. Political opposition leaders have condemned the move as reckless, warning it could deepen the humanitarian crisis and jeopardize the lives of hostages.
Families of hostages and protest groups have staged demonstrations, demanding a ceasefire and diplomatic negotiations to secure the release of those still held captive. Many believe that further military escalation, particularly in Gaza City, could seal the fate of those hostages rather than save them.
Humanitarian conditions across the Gaza Strip, and particularly in Gaza City, continue to deteriorate rapidly. With ongoing blockades and limited aid access, international agencies have warned that famine is a growing threat. According to recent estimates, at least 600 aid trucks per day are required to meet the basic needs of the population, but actual deliveries fall far short of that number.
Although recent months have seen the reopening of certain aid corridors, logistical challenges remain. Only a fraction of requested convoys receive authorization, and many trucks face long delays or danger during their journeys. This has resulted in serious shortages of essential supplies such as food, medicine, and clean water.
As agricultural land lies devastated and prices for basic commodities skyrocket, many families in Gaza City are unable to afford the limited food available. Malnutrition, especially among children, has sharply increased. Aid groups warn that if hostilities intensify further, the already fragile humanitarian supply chain could collapse entirely.
The newly approved military strategy is closely tied to the ongoing hostage crisis. Since the Hamas-led attack in October 2023, around 250 individuals were taken hostage. As of now, about 50 are believed to still be in Gaza, with approximately 20 confirmed to be alive.
Despite multiple attempts at negotiation, talks have repeatedly broken down. Many fear that expanding military operations in Gaza City, where some of the hostages are likely being held, could increase the risk of harm or execution.
Hamas has issued warnings that intensified attacks will not only endanger hostages but also be met with lethal reprisals. This has added further pressure on Netanyahu’s government to weigh military objectives against the complex reality of saving lives.
The plan to take control of Gaza City signals a pivotal shift in Israel’s long-term approach to the war. While Netanyahu insists Israel does not intend to reoccupy the territory indefinitely, there is no clear roadmap for what governance will look like after the military operation concludes.
Questions loom large: Who will govern Gaza in the absence of Hamas and without the involvement of the Palestinian Authority? Can humanitarian aid be effectively restored? And how will the international community respond to what may be seen as a de facto reoccupation?
As Gaza City braces for what could be one of the most intense phases of the war yet, the fate of its people—and the wider prospects for peace—remain uncertain. The city stands at a dangerous crossroads, with political, humanitarian, and security concerns converging into a situation that demands urgent global attention.
Source- EWN