Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip on Monday night, according to multiple Israeli media outlets including The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been given the green light to launch a full military operation to seize control of the entire besieged territory, including areas where Israeli hostages are still being held by the Palestinian extremist group Hamas.
According to reports, Netanyahu’s office has delivered a strong message to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, stating that he may resign if he does not agree with the plan. This move has sparked controversy within both the military and the government. The IDF has previously voiced strong opposition to a full-scale occupation of Gaza, warning that it could take years to dismantle Hamas’s vast underground infrastructure and military networks.
Furthermore, such an operation would place the lives of the remaining hostages in grave danger, the military emphasized in earlier briefings. Reports from outlets such as Channel 12 had already indicated that Netanyahu was inclined to expand Israel’s military campaign and pursue total control of Gaza, citing anonymous sources within the government.
The proposed strategy has drawn support from far-right ministers including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both of whom voted in favor of the full occupation. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar have advocated for pursuing a ceasefire agreement—one that could potentially include the release of hostages as part of broader diplomatic negotiations.
The internal divisions highlight a growing rift between Israel’s military leadership and its political establishment, as the war in Gaza continues to escalate and pressure mounts to bring the hostages home safely.
