JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that a decision has been made for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, including military operations in areas where hostages are believed to be held.
In a video address, Netanyahu stated that the Israeli government is committed to freeing Gaza from what he termed “the tyranny of these terrorists.”
He also referenced Gazans who have approached the Israeli government asking to be freed from Hamas’ control.
The announcement comes amid months of stalled talks in Qatar between Israel and Hamas, with mediators struggling to overcome obstacles from both sides and reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal as the humanitarian situation in the Strip continues to deteriorate.
The Prime Minister’s Office has also been in a state of tension with the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, over the conduct of the war in Gaza.
In a message, the office told Zamir that if the plan does not suit him, he should resign.
No further details have been provided about the plans for a post-war Gaza, but they could mirror those outlined in a 32-page academic paper titled “Gaza Security and Recovery Program, How Should The Day After Look Like.”
The document, authored by the Israel Defence and Security Forum, presents one of the future options currently under consideration by Israel for the Gaza Strip.
The proposal envisions economic reconstruction, infrastructure development, and the “uprooting of a murderous ideology,” a process referred to as “de-Nazification.”
It explicitly excludes the sovereignty of Palestine, the presence of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), or the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza.
Israeli officials, including Knesset members Ohad Tal and Simcha Rothman, have confirmed the authenticity of the document, stating that it is one of the plans being considered by the government.
This announcement contradicts previous statements made by Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, who claimed that Israel has no intention of controlling Gaza long-term.
Netanyahu, however, has referenced a plan floated by former US President Donald Trump to resettle Gaza’s population in other countries, a proposal that was met with widespread international condemnation.
The public is urged to stay informed about the developing situation in Gaza and to follow official channels for updates.