Other reports suggested that anything from a ‘military occupation’ to ‘full annexation’ of the Strip were on the table if ceasefire negotiations collapse again
July 29, 2025 13:07
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly presented a plan for an IDF “siege” of Gaza at a meeting of his Security Cabinet last night.
According to public broadcaster Kan, Netanyahu laid out a proposal to isolate Hamas by cutting off aid and electricity to sections of the Strip.
While the report did not specify which areas could be affected, the Times of Israel suggested it was “likely referring to areas where hostages are believed to be held”.
The IDF had, thus far, avoided conducting operations in the areas thought to house hostages, but recently began incursions into Deir al-Balah.
Over the weekend, Israel confirmed it would implement humanitarian pauses in three areas – al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah and Gaza City – between 10am and 8pm “every day until further notice” to allow an influx of aid to the Strip.
But the Kan report suggests that, once widespread hunger has been averted, restrictions could be reintroduced,
Meanwhile, Channel 12 reported that the Security Cabinet is weighing up a “full military occupation” of Gaza, giving Israel full control of security administration if the next round of ceasefire talks still fail to produce a deal.
An unnamed Israeli official told the broadcaster: “The US needs to put a gun on the table and force Qatar to choose between Hamas’s interests and its own.
"The US is the only actor that can bring Hamas back to the negotiating table. If it doesn’t act, the situation will remain unchanged.”
The alleged occupation plan was reportedly on the agenda for the meeting yesterday, but the report did not reveal whether ministers were believed to have reached a decision.
And Maariv reported that, should talks collapse, Israel is set to begin annexing segments of the Strip.
Its report, which did not attribute the claim to any sources, suggested that Netanyahu presented the concept to a smaller number of ministers at a recent meeting.
This was corroborated by Haaretz, which claimed the move was designed to keep far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and his Religious Zionism party in the coalition.
While unconfirmed, the reported proposal resembles comments made by Smotrich himself, with the minister suggesting last week that annexation of limited areas had the backing of IDF chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.
Speaking at a Knesset conference titled “The Riviera in Gaza – From Vision to Reality,” Smotrich said: “I had a conversation with the chief of staff last week, and he told me that there is a need for a security annexation.
"I genuinely believe we have an enormous opportunity here.
"We’ve been talking about this already; starting in the northern perimeter and setting up three settlements.
"Some people call it a ‘security annexation,’ but the bottom line is the same, ensuring Israel’s safety by maintaining a permanent presence.”
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