Israel could seize entire Gaza Strip in intensified operation, officials say

JERUSALEM. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday announced that an expanded military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip would be “intensive,” following his security cabinet’s approval of a controversial plan that could see Israel seize control of the entire enclave and manage the distribution of humanitarian aid.

The move signals a dramatic escalation in the nearly seven-month war, as ceasefire negotiations have repeatedly stalled. A defense official confirmed the plan will not be implemented before U.S. President Donald Trump completes his Middle East visit next week.

The new operation, which one Israeli official said could ultimately result in the full takeover of Gaza and the displacement of its population to the south, would mark a significant shift in Israel’s strategy. Unlike earlier limited incursions, Israeli forces intend to maintain control of captured territory and extend operations deeper into the enclave.

In a video message, Netanyahu said the operation will not rely on short-term raids from outside Gaza as in the past. “The intention is the opposite,” he said, signaling long-term occupation. He added that the campaign would involve moving more Palestinian civilians “for their own safety.”

A report from Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, citing officials familiar with the plan, said the offensive would unfold gradually over several months, starting with focused operations in specific areas.

The Israeli military has already taken control of about a third of Gaza, displacing residents and establishing watchtowers and surveillance zones labeled as “security areas.” The expanded plan would reportedly shift aid distribution from U.N. agencies and NGOs to private firms, concentrating relief efforts in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza.

One senior Israeli defense official stated: “If there is no hostage deal, Operation ‘Gideon Chariots’ will begin with great intensity and will not stop until all its goals are achieved.”

Israel’s offensive resumed in March after the collapse of a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that had temporarily halted fighting. Since then, Israel has enforced an aid blockade that U.N. officials warn has pushed Gaza’s 2.3 million people to the brink of famine.

Despite rising international concern and dwindling public support at home, some Israeli leaders welcomed the latest decision. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a vocal proponent of a full Gaza takeover, said during a pro-settler conference: “We are finally going to conquer Gaza. We are no longer afraid of the word ‘occupation’.”

The hardline stance was echoed in the broader government narrative that criticizes international aid groups for allegedly allowing Hamas to divert supplies. Instead, officials explore new logistics systems using private contractors and Israeli-controlled hubs.

However, humanitarian organizations pushed back. Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “Israel was demanding that the U.N. and non-governmental organisations shut down their aid distribution system in Gaza.”

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told Axios that Israel is a sovereign nation and makes its own decisions. However, he expressed hope that a hostage release and ceasefire agreement might be reached before or during President Trump’s trip. The White House has yet to comment.

Hamas, meanwhile, condemned the Israeli plan. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said: “No deal except a comprehensive one, which includes a complete ceasefire, full withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and the release of all prisoners from both sides.”

The ongoing conflict has severely strained Israel’s military resources. Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, revealed on Sunday that tens of thousands of reservists are being called up to prepare for the expanded offensive. A government spokesperson insisted the additional troops are intended to “expand operations in Gaza, not to occupy it.”

Still, pressure is mounting from the Israeli public. Outside parliament, angry protesters clashed with police, demanding a resolution to the hostage crisis. “All the families are tired,” said Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was killed in the October 7 attack by Hamas. “All the families have been scared about this new manoeuvring because there is no guarantee that it will get us to where the families want.”

The war began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and led to the abduction of 251 hostages into Gaza, according to Israeli sources.

Since then, Israel’s aerial and ground campaign has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, according to Gaza health authorities. Large parts of the territory have been reduced to rubble, with humanitarian agencies warning of an unfolding catastrophe.

Israel has yet to outline a clear post-war vision for Gaza, even as military actions continue to expand and regional tensions escalate, including fresh missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and instability in Syria and the West Bank.

With the threat of a broader regional conflict looming, Israel’s path forward remains uncertain and increasingly volatile.