The IDF chief of staff and the heads of the security services are said to be against the plan, but senior cabinet figures are believed to support it
August 5, 2025 09:25
Israeli media, citing government sources, is widely reporting that Prime Minister Netanyahu is preparing to order a "full occupation" of Gaza by the IDF.
Netanyahu held a Security Cabinet meeting yesterday to discuss the next steps in the war following the breakdown of ceasefire talks last month.Both Hamas and Israel seemingly ruled out the prospect of any imminent talks last week. The terror group said it would not come back to the table until more aid entered the Strip, while far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed that Jerusalem would not participate in any future discussions unless Hamas offered “total surrender” and the return of all hostages.
In the wake of yesterday’s meeting, several ministers reportedly revealed that Netanyahu used the term "occupation" several times in outlining his plan for the future, including in areas where hostages are believed to be held.
One senior official told Ynet: "The die is cast – we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip."
The IDF currently controls about 75 per cent of the territory and ministers have previously hinted at partial annexation or occupation for security purposes.
However, the plan is reported to be opposed by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, on the grounds that it may endanger remaining hostages and that it may take years to effectively dismantle Hamas infrastructure by force.
But the official added: "There will be operations even in areas where hostages are being held. If the chief of staff doesn’t agree, he should resign.
Likewise, Channel 12’s Amit Segal quoted another unnamed official as saying: “The decision has been made.
"Hamas won’t release more hostages without total surrender, and we won’t surrender. If we don’t act now, the hostages will starve to death and Gaza will remain under Hamas’s control.”
The reports also suggest a divide in the cabinet, with Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz, Smotrich and far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said to be in favour of occupation.
On the other side, Zamir, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Mossad Director David Barnea are believed to be against the plan, as well as Aryeh Deri, the leader of the Shas party – the one remaining Charedi faction in the coalition.
The Prime Minister’s Office is yet to comment on the reports but, at the start of yesterday’s meeting, Netanyahu said: “We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve all our war objectives: the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages, and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”
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