Israel Defends Gaza City Takeover Amid Global Backlash

Israel's newly approved plan, aimed at defeating Hamas, has drawn fierce criticism from global leaders and raised concerns over humanitarian repercussions in Gaza.

Israel has taken a defiant stance after its security cabinet approved plans to seize control of Gaza City as part of its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office emphasizes that the plan, which is structured around five critical principles, is a strategic move to “defeat Hamas” and “conclude the war”. Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed that international condemnation and potential sanctions will not deter Israel's actions, asserting that "Our enemies will find us as one strong united fist that will strike them with great force." The plan has faced backlash from several countries, including the UK, France, and Canada, while Germany has even halted military exports to Israel in protest.

The security cabinet’s decision outlines targeted objectives including disarming Hamas, securing the return of all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, establishing security control, and creating a new civil administration devoid of both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Reports indicate the plan prioritizes the full control of Gaza City, potentially relocating its population of about one million southward. Follow-up operations are expected to focus on key regions housing hostages and refugee camps.

The announcement invites fierce criticism within Israel too, particularly from military officials and families of hostages, who fear that escalating military action may endanger lives. Hamas has condemned this takeover plan as a "new war crime." UN human rights chief Volker Turk cautioned that further escalation could lead to severe humanitarian crises, highlighting predictions of forced displacement and “unbearable suffering.”

Global leaders echoed concerns, with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling the plan “wrong” and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urging Israel to reconsider, warning it may exacerbate the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Turkish officials have also urged the international community to oppose the occupation plans, asserting that it would contribute to the forced displacement of Palestinians. In contrast, the US has taken a less critical approach, with President Donald Trump stating it is largely up to Israel to determine its course of action in Gaza.

Currently, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) control roughly three-quarters of Gaza, while about 2.1 million Gazans now reside in areas not under Israeli occupation, particularly refugee camps along the coast and in central Gaza. The ongoing conflict, ignited by Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, has led to unprecedented destruction, displacing the vast majority of Gaza’s inhabitants and creating dire humanitarian conditions with warnings of famine afflicting children and families unable to access basic needs, as cited by the World Health Organization.