By JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Aug 8 (AfrikTimes) – Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan on Friday to take control of Gaza City, expanding military operations in the shattered Palestinian territory despite mounting criticism at home and abroad over the nearly two-year-old war.
Far-right allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition have pushed for a complete takeover of Gaza as part of his pledge to eradicate Hamas militants, though the military has warned this could endanger the lives of remaining hostages held by the group. Israel, at war in Gaza since Hamas’ deadly attack on southern Israel in October 2023, is advancing the expanded campaign after failed ceasefire mediation efforts and amid rising international outrage over a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that the military “will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones.”
While Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel intended to take military control of the entire Gaza Strip, the plan approved on Friday focuses specifically on sprawling Gaza City, the territory’s largest urban centre in the north. In a statement, Hamas called Netanyahu’s move “a blatant coup” against the negotiation process.
Israel’s cabinet is expected to endorse the Gaza City plan.
Palestinians inspect the site of a morning Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City, August 8, 2025.
Israeli media report that about 900,000 people now live in Gaza City, which has been the target of major ground and air attacks. Many are among those displaced from towns in the northern edge of the enclave following army evacuation orders and ground operations.
Before the war, Hamas’ most powerful fighting units were believed to be based in northern Gaza, including Gaza City. It is unclear if that remains the case, as Israel has killed many of the group’s top leaders, commanders, and fighters.
Asked whether Israel — whose forces say they already control about 75% of the coastal strip — would occupy all of it, Netanyahu told Fox News Channel’s Bill Hemmer on Thursday: “We intend to.”
He said Israel does not want to keep the territory, but to establish a “security perimeter” before handing it over to Arab forces to govern. He did not specify which Arab countries might participate or what the governance arrangements would entail.
Netanyahu, who has said there will be no end to the war until Hamas is completely destroyed, faces pressure from Israelis to bring home hostages still held in Gaza, though many citizens also want the war to end.
Palestinian boys inspect the site of a morning Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City, August 8, 2025.
“Well, basically, I think it’s a death sentence to all the hostages that are still being held there. And it’s the wrong decision to do it at this time,” said Danny Bukovsky, a hotelier in Tel Aviv.
Fifty hostages remain in Gaza, and Israeli officials believe 20 are alive. Most of those freed so far were released through diplomatic negotiations. Talks toward a ceasefire that could have secured more releases collapsed in July.
Amjad Iraqi, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, said Israel’s government believes the solution is to “be more aggressive in carving Gaza’s geography and demographics” because it has faced no real consequences despite international protests.
“It’s no wonder Israel is ready to do the same to the strip’s de facto capital, even amid a spiral into famine,” Iraqi said.
A global hunger monitor has warned that famine is unfolding in densely populated Gaza, where nearly all of the territory’s more than 2 million residents have been displaced, many multiple times.
Palestinians, displaced by the Israeli military offensive, shelter in a tent camp in Gaza City, August 8, 2025.
PHASED TAKEOVER
Among the scenarios considered before the security meeting was a phased takeover of areas in Gaza not yet under military control, a government source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Evacuation warnings could be issued to Palestinians in specific areas, potentially giving them several weeks before the military advances, the source added.
In its statement on Friday, Netanyahu’s office said the vast majority of the security cabinet believed that “the alternative plan presented in the cabinet would not achieve the defeat of Hamas nor the return of the hostages.”
“It just doesn’t seem like there’s any clear plan moving forward. So unless there’s a clear plan, we should end the war, bring the hostages home, and stop so many soldiers from dying,” said Tel Aviv university student Talya Saltzman.
A full occupation of Gaza would reverse Israel’s 2005 withdrawal, in which it evacuated thousands of Jewish settlers and military forces while retaining control over the territory’s borders, airspace, and utilities.
Palestinians look at aid packages that are airdropped over Gaza, in Gaza City, August 8, 2025.
It was unclear whether Netanyahu envisages a prolonged takeover or a short-term operation.
Hamas called the approval of plans to occupy Gaza City and displace its residents “a new war crime.”
Israel has rejected accusations of war crimes and genocide as it continues its military campaign. Last month, two leading Israeli rights groups accused the government of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Arab countries will “only support what Palestinians agree and decide on,” a Jordanian official told Reuters, adding that security in Gaza should be handled through “legitimate Palestinian institutions.”
Netanyahu’s government has ruled out allowing the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank under 1990s interim peace accords, to return to Gaza.
Hamas insists any deal must lead to a permanent end to the war. Israel says the group has no intention of relinquishing power afterwards.
Palestinians, displaced by the Israeli offensive, shelter in tents, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza City, August 1, 2025.
