Israel Approves Military Takeover of Gaza City

 On August 8, 2025, Israel’s political and security cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal for a military operation to take control of Gaza City, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing war. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are set to move into the city while attempting to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in areas away from fighting. Netanyahu made it clear that Israel does not plan to govern Gaza permanently, aiming instead to create a security zone and later hand over authority to cooperative Arab groups, excluding both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. The operation is part of a broader five-point strategy designed to defeat Hamas, secure the release of hostages, remove weapons from Gaza, maintain Israeli security oversight, and establish a new administration free from Hamas influence. This move could displace up to one million Palestinians, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the territory. Military leaders in Israel have warned that the action may put remaining hostages at greater risk and could drag Israel into a prolonged and costly occupation. Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the decision, calling it a disaster and a result that aligns with Hamas’s interests. The international community, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has criticized the decision, with Starmer urging Israel to reconsider, warning that it would lead to more violence and hinder hostage negotiations. The United Nations human rights chief and other global figures have also voiced legal concerns and stressed the need to pursue a two-state solution.

On August 8, 2025, Israel’s political and security cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to seize Gaza City, marking a significant step up in the conflict.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will move to take control of Gaza City while also trying to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians staying outside the battle zones.

Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has no plan to rule Gaza permanently but wants to set up a security zone and later hand control to cooperative Arab groups, excluding Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

This action is part of a wider five-point plan to defeat Hamas, free the hostages, remove weapons from Gaza, keep Israeli security control, and create a new local administration without Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

The takeover could push as many as one million Palestinians from their homes, making Gaza’s already severe humanitarian situation worse.

Senior Israeli army officials cautioned that the plan could endanger the hostages still in captivity and draw Israel into a long and expensive occupation.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the decision as a disaster and said it was exactly what Hamas wanted to see happen.

International criticism followed, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling the move wrong and urging Israel to think again, warning it would cause more violence and block progress on hostage talks.

The United Nations human rights chief and other global figures expressed legal concerns and stressed the importance of working toward a two-state solution.

 

BACKGROUND

The decision by Israel’s political-security cabinet to approve a military takeover of Gaza City comes against the backdrop of a long and violent conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian armed group that has controlled Gaza since 2007. Tensions have escalated sharply since the outbreak of the latest war, which began after deadly cross-border attacks and has resulted in widespread destruction and civilian casualties in Gaza. The city has long been a key strategic and symbolic stronghold for Hamas, making it a primary target for Israeli military operations. Previous attempts to weaken Hamas’s grip have included airstrikes, blockades, and limited ground incursions, but none have fully removed the group from power. International efforts to mediate a ceasefire and pursue a two-state solution have repeatedly stalled, leaving the humanitarian situation in Gaza dire, with severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. The current plan represents one of Israel’s most ambitious and risky strategies in years, raising concerns among military leaders, opposition politicians, and global actors about the humanitarian cost, the fate of hostages, and the long-term implications for regional stability.

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