Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for a fresh military offensive in the Gaza Strip has ignited sharp opposition from military leaders, hostage families, and international allies, amid fears it will lead to more Palestinian deaths and further isolate Israel on the global stage.
In a marathon 10-hour security cabinet meeting, ministers approved Netanyahu’s proposal for the “takeover of Gaza City” a move widely seen as the first step toward full Israeli control of the territory. While the prime minister’s office avoided the word “occupation,” critics say the plan amounts to exactly that.
The timeline for the operation remains unclear. Military officials say it could take months, requiring the recall of thousands of reservists many already exhausted from repeated deployments and the evacuation of some 800,000 Palestinians from the area, many of whom have been displaced multiple times since the war began.
The decision has drawn swift condemnation from foreign governments urging Israel to end the conflict, which began after Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the plan “wrong” and urged Netanyahu to reverse course “immediately.” But international pressure appears unlikely to shift the Israeli leader’s stance.
Domestic unease is also growing. Polls indicate a majority of Israelis would prefer a negotiated deal with Hamas to secure the release of around 50 remaining hostages 20 of whom are believed to be alive and to bring the war to an end.
Some analysts believe Netanyahu’s hardline strategy is aimed at forcing Hamas into concessions during stalled ceasefire talks, though Israeli officials say the group currently shows no interest in negotiating.
Military opposition to the plan is significant. Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, reportedly warned Netanyahu that a full occupation of Gaza would be “tantamount to walking into a trap” and could jeopardize the lives of the hostages.
Hostage families echo these fears, insisting that only a negotiated settlement with Hamas can guarantee the safe return of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu faces pressure from his own coalition’s ultranationalist ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who have publicly supported the so-called “voluntary migration” of Palestinians from Gaza a proposal widely condemned as forced displacement, which constitutes a war crime under international law. Both have threatened to quit the government if the war ends without their conditions being met.
Critics at home and abroad warn that Netanyahu’s latest move risks deepening Israel’s international isolation while prolonging a war that has already inflicted devastating human and political costs.
