Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that a formal decision has been made to pursue a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, with operations extending into areas believed to house Israeli hostages, Israeli media report. According to reports, a senior official close to Netanyahu stated, “The die is cast — we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip.” If Israel Defense Forces Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir objects, he was told he should resign.
The expansion comes as Israel already controls roughly 75% of Gaza, but the new directive aims to seize remaining holdouts and administer sustained military presence, including densely populated urban zones and refugee camps. Netanyahu emphasized that even areas where hostages may be held will be included in operations, a move military leadership reportedly opposed due to risks to civilian lives and possible harm to captives.
Critics warn the decision could further inflame Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and provoke diplomatic isolation. A coalition of 19 former Israeli security officials, part of the broader group of over 600 ex-leaders urging an end to the war, called the strategy a strategic disaster, arguing that the war, once defensible, has now surpassed its objectives and becomes morally and operationally dangerous. Hostage families and opposition figures likewise condemned the plan, warning it threatens remaining captives and deepens civilian suffering.
Netanyahu is expected to convene a meeting of his security cabinet imminently to formalize the decision. The move marks a sharp turning point in the conflict, raising the stakes for both military operations on the ground and international pressure amid one of Gaza’s worst humanitarian emergencies.
