Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday outlined a plan for intensified military operations in the Gaza Strip, potentially setting a course toward long-term Israeli control of the enclave. The plan, approved by Netanyahu's security cabinet Sunday night, involves a massive relocation of the Palestinian population within Gaza and indefinite Israeli military control over significant areas.
The strategy requires calling up tens of thousands of reservists in the coming weeks. Palestinian civilians in northern and southern Gaza are to be displaced into "sterile zones" secured by elements of the ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF). Other troops will continue efforts to root out Hamas fighters and destroy tunnels.
New "hubs," built by Israel and potentially protected by U.S. security contractors, would be established within these zones for humanitarian aid distribution. Distribution would be limited to Palestinians designated and vetted by Israel. Israel had banned all humanitarian assistance from entering Gaza since ending a brief ceasefire two months prior, leading to conditions the United Nations described as near-starvation.
Israeli officials indicated the plan's implementation is tied to President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, scheduled to begin May 13. They described the trip as a "window of opportunity" for agreement on a proposed 50-day ceasefire and hostage release deal.
Hamas has rejected the proposal unless Israel agrees to terms for an eventual withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Benjamin Netanyahu's government has refused that demand, stating Hamas must be destroyed. Asked about supporting the decision, President Trump did not respond directly, commenting only that "people are starving, and we're going to help them get some food," echoing Israeli charges that Hamas was taking aid.
Netanyahu stated in a video statement Monday the IDF will no longer "enter and then withdraw" from combat zones, a strategy that allowed Hamas to return to cleared areas. "We're not doing that anymore," Netanyahu said. "The intention is the opposite."
The announcement prompted debate in Israel about whether the country was moving toward outright conquest or administration of the Strip. This outcome is sought by Netanyahu's far-right political allies, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and military hard-liners who argue a complete takeover is necessary to eliminate Hamas. Smotrich stated conquering all of Gaza should be the primary objective.
Opposition leaders, including Yair Golan of the Democrats party, warned the new strategy paves the way for annexation favored by Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Golan called it "a move that prepares for a permanent presence in the area, part of making Ben Gvir and Smotrich’s fantasies into reality." The United States administration has been reluctant to appear to back Israel's plans, with President Trump focusing on securing deals with Persian Gulf countries.
Humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza have largely refused to participate in the Israeli aid distribution plan. Many have stated they will not participate in any scheme that does not adhere to global humanitarian principles. A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross noted that under international humanitarian law, "Israel has an obligation to use all means available to ensure that the basic needs of the civilian population under its control are met."
Ofer Shelah, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, commented on the potential outcome of the plan. "The implications could be a drift — without any formal decision — into a de facto situation of occupying the Gaza Strip and taking responsibility for the fate of 2 million Palestinians, with all the consequences that entails," he said.
