Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is moving forward with plans for a potential full-scale military occupation of the Gaza Strip, following a high-level security consultation attended by Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior officials from Israel’s security apparatus. The three-hour meeting, which took place on Tuesday, focused on the military’s next steps in Gaza, amid growing pressure from political allies and a stalled diplomatic track.
A brief statement issued by Netanyahu’s office after the session confirmed that “the IDF is prepared to implement any decision taken by the political-security cabinet.” This came alongside media reports indicating that the security cabinet — the decision-making body is scheduled to convene on Thursday to vote on the proposed course of action.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan 11, a senior official with direct knowledge of the security meeting said Netanyahu is leaning toward authorizing a full occupation of Gaza, a move that would mark a significant escalation in Israel’s military campaign.
Military Divisions and Strategic Disagreements
The security discussion reportedly touched on one of the most sensitive and controversial issues: whether to expand military operations into areas believed to hold Israeli hostages. According to Kan 11, the Israeli security establishment strongly opposes such an expansion, warning that it could put the lives of hostages at risk.
As an alternative, the Israeli military reportedly proposed surrounding Gaza City and isolating its population, a less invasive approach aimed at avoiding direct confrontation in hostage-dense zones. However, this suggestion has not satisfied more hawkish members of the government.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and others have voiced support for a more aggressive move, insisting that even areas suspected of holding Israeli captives should be entered and controlled. The argument reflects a growing sentiment among hardline cabinet members who view a decisive military victory, including full occupation as the only way to dismantle Hamas and rescue remaining hostages.
The Turning Point: “The Decision Has Been Made”
Israeli media have framed this week’s developments as a decisive pivot. Channel 12 cited senior officials in the Prime Minister’s Office as stating unequivocally, “The decision has been made Israel is moving toward occupying the Gaza Strip.”
According to the same sources, Netanyahu is convinced that Hamas will not release additional hostages unless Israel completely breaks its military resistance. “We will not surrender,” the officials declared. “If we don’t act now, the hostages will die of starvation, and Gaza will remain under Hamas control.”
Under the current plan, Israeli forces would enter territories they have previously avoided particularly central Gaza refugee camps believed to contain hostages signaling a potential shift in the military’s risk calculus. While exact timelines remain unclear, reports suggest Netanyahu will present the proposed invasion plan for cabinet approval later this week.
Mounting Tensions Within the Defense Establishment
Despite the Prime Minister’s push, the Israeli security and intelligence community remains cautious. Concerns about endangering hostages continue to fuel opposition to a ground invasion in sensitive areas. According to Kan 11, Netanyahu plans to hold another security meeting on Tuesday to specifically address the dilemma of expanding operations into regions where captives may be held.
Multiple sources within the defense establishment have reportedly warned against such actions, citing a high probability of fatal outcomes for the hostages and a possible blow to Israel’s international standing. Yet the Prime Minister appears determined to press forward.
Strategic Objectives vs. Political Survival
Netanyahu’s rhetoric has increasingly aligned with his core political objectives. In recent statements, he reaffirmed Israel’s three goals in Gaza: defeating Hamas, freeing all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a security threat to Israel.
These strategic goals are unfolding against a backdrop of political turmoil and declining public support. Netanyahu’s government faces intense criticism for its failure to secure the release of hostages, the mounting humanitarian toll in Gaza, and growing international scrutiny. The looming cabinet vote on Gaza’s occupation could define not only the next phase of the war but also Netanyahu’s political legacy.
As the Israeli government stands at a crossroads, the decision over whether to proceed with full occupation particularly in areas where Israeli hostages may be held encapsulates the broader dilemma facing Israel: how to balance military objectives with humanitarian risks, internal divisions, and growing international concern.
