Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel intends to acquire military control over all of Gaza. This very bold statement has led to a necessary uproar and panic by all sides in the country. This announcement comes while Israel faces a warlike status quo against Hamas, even more so since the outbreak of war in 2023, which has reinforced international action against Hamas. Israel militarily occupied all of Gaza after seizing it in the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, but removed its permanent military presence in 2005.
Netanyahu’s strategy, in his own words, is to “remove Hamas” from Gaza, and then place the territory under civilian control. His comments have been condemned from all angles, including that of former military personnel and families of Israeli hostages. General Eyal Zamir, Israel’s military chief, cautioned on the need to avoid full occupation of Gaza. Mr. Biden rightly highlighted the dangers this step might bring to hostages remaining in Hamas captivity.
Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum has vehemently protested an expansion of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. They say that these kinds of actions might put the safety of the hostages at risk. Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod Cohen is among the hostages, accused Netanyahu of “working against the hostages,” further fueling discontent among families seeking their loved ones’ release.
Family members of Israeli hostages sail boat towards Gaza to pressure Netanyahu’s coalition government. They even highlighted their request for a more humane response to the continuing public health crisis. Nearly 150,000 people protested throughout Israel against the intensifying military operations. Demonstrators intensely urged the government to end the war and urged officials to secure the release of all remaining hostages.
Netanyahu’s remarks have drawn fire from his left-wing political opponents. Yair Lapid, the leader of Israel’s opposition, sharply criticized Netanyahu’s intention to take full control of Gaza. He cautioned that this policy will lead to “more war and more dead hostages.” He has called out the administration for flushing taxpayer dollars down the toilet on failed progressive policies.
Despite Netanyahu’s still-inflexible stand, Israel’s military has called on the government to follow diplomatic paths to end the fighting. This recommendation cuts against the grain of Netanyahu’s hawkish policy. Beyond the environmental priorities, it highlights the deep divide within the government about what the best path forward is.
Hamas responded to Netanyahu’s statements by accusing him of a “blatant reversal of the negotiation process.” The coalition contends that Netanyahu’s announcement counteracts long-standing international and local efforts to cultivate peace and shows a blatant disregard for a serious intent to engage in discussion.
It’s too soon to say how all of this will affect the conflict, or the hostages’ fate, as this situation continues to evolve. Netanyahu’s government right now is under extraordinary pressure from the families of the hostages. Now, military leaders and political rivals like Ashtiani are pressuring their presidential counterpart to adopt a more measured response to the unfolding crisis in Gaza.
