TEL AVIV, Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior security officials to finalize a new strategy for the nearly two-year war in Gaza, with local media reporting he is considering a complete military takeover of the Palestinian territory.
The meeting, described by Netanyahu’s office as a “limited security discussion” lasting about three hours, was attended by military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Defence Minister Israel Katz, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Zamir reportedly presented options for continuing the campaign, with the strategy to be brought before the cabinet on Thursday.
Despite mounting international calls for a ceasefire to address worsening hunger and humanitarian conditions in Gaza, truce talks between Israel and Hamas have collapsed. Local health authorities said at least 20 people were killed in the north while waiting for UN aid trucks, and another 20 were wounded in Rafah under similar circumstances. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported eight more deaths from starvation in the past day and at least 80 killed in recent Israeli strikes.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu is leaning toward regaining full control of Gaza, reversing the 2005 withdrawal that right-wing parties blame for Hamas’s rise to power. It remains unclear whether this would involve a long-term occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages.
“It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu told new military recruits.
The United Nations called reports of a possible expanded operation “deeply alarming.” U.S. President Donald Trump declined to comment on whether the U.S. supports the plan, saying the U.S. is focused on delivering aid to civilians.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities, and displaced nearly the entire population of over two million. Gaza officials say 188 Palestinians, including 94 children, have died from hunger since the war began.
On Tuesday, Israeli tanks advanced into central Gaza, raising fears among residents in areas not yet under full military control. “If the tanks pushed through, where would we go, into the sea?” said Abu Jehad, a wood merchant in Gaza. “This will be like a death sentence to the entire population.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
