Netanyahu Advocates for Total Reoccupation of Gaza Amid Hostage Tensions

Netanyahu's call for a military takeover contrasts sharply with the opinions of his military leaders and growing calls within Israel and abroad for a ceasefire, raising the stakes in the ongoing conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing to advocate for the complete reoccupation of the Gaza Strip during an upcoming meeting with his security cabinet, according to Israeli media reports. A senior official has stated, "The die has been cast. We're going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip – and defeating Hamas." However, this proposal faces significant opposition from military leaders, including the army chief, prompting the official to suggest that if the military leadership does not support the approach, they should resign.

This situation is particularly concerning for the families of hostages, with 20 of the 50 believed to be alive in Gaza fearing that an intensified military campaign could jeopardize their loved ones' safety. Public sentiment appears to lean towards negotiations for a ceasefire, with polls indicating that three in four Israelis prefer a diplomatic solution to ensure the return of hostages. Meanwhile, Israel’s allies internationally have expressed disapproval of further military escalation, calling for efforts to mitigate the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.

A collective of hundreds of former Israeli security officials has also urged U.S. President Joe Biden to persuade Netanyahu to cease military operations. Ami Ayalon, a former domestic intelligence chief, emphasized that while Hamas's military capabilities may be compromised, their ideological influence among Palestinians and across the Arab world is, disturbingly, gaining strength. Ayalon advocates for presenting a viable future for peace as the only means to effectively counter Hamas's growing ideology.

These developments come on the heels of stalled negotiations with Hamas regarding ceasefire terms and hostage exchanges. Recently, Palestinian militant groups released distressing footage of two Israeli hostages, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The Israeli military maintains that it currently controls 75% of Gaza but the proposed new strategy to fully occupy Gaza raises questions about the humanitarian impact on the civilian population, now concentrated in an area where an estimated 2.1 million people face dire living conditions.

Concerns over civilian wellbeing and the operational capacity of the United Nations and humanitarian organizations remain prevalent as around 90% of Gaza's population is displaced. Humanitarian advocates accuse Israel of impeding aid distribution, while Israel's government proposes selective re-opening of trade for essential goods, albeit under strict conditions to prevent Hamas from benefitting from such imports.

Israeli military strategy has previously avoided taking over populated regions of Gaza, primarily due to fears of the fate of hostages held in those areas. The Palestinian Authority has decried Netanyahu's proposal, appealing to the global community to intervene to deter any new military incursion.

The call for reoccupation reflects the hardline stance of some Israeli officials, who have long sought a permanent annexation of Gaza—a stark departure from Israel's previous decision in 2005 to dismantle settlements in the region. As efforts grow internationally to revive the two-state solution, which proposes the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel with East Jerusalem as its capital, Netanyahu's plan complicates the already intricate geopolitical landscape.

With a security cabinet meeting anticipated soon, discussions are expected to revolve around preliminary military strategies, including potential airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza's central refugee camps. Critics from various quarters in Israel have voiced skepticism regarding the feasibility of Netanyahu's ambitious military objectives, suggesting that he may be prolonging the conflict rather than seeking a resolution. The military offensive in Gaza, which commenced following Hamas's deadly attack on October 7, has resulted in substantial casualties on both sides—approximately 1,200 Israelis and over 61,000 Palestinians, according to various reports.