Israel Approves Plan to Occupy Gaza City, Raising Fears of More Displacement

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a new plan proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the Israeli military to take control of Gaza City, the largest city in the Palestinian territory.

Netanyahu's office says the IDF will prepare to vacate Gaze City while still allowing humanitarian aid to be given to civilians no where near conflict areas. 

This is considered a massive escalation in the war, after Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which has already killed over 61,000 Palestinians, displaced the majority of Gazans, and caused mass destruction and hunger.

The full Israeli cabinet still needs to approve the plan, which may happen in the coming days.

What the Plan Includes:

-The IDF will surround and enter Gaza City.

-Civilians will be forced to leave the city and move to other areas.

-A ground offensive will target remaining Hamas fighters.

-Humanitarian aid will be provided outside the battle zones.

Netanyahu said Israel does not want to govern Gaza permanently. Instead, he wants to hand it over to Arab forces that do not support Hamas.

The proposal has raised valid concerns:

-Families of hostages still imprisoned in Gaza are worried that the offensive could endanger their family members.

-Human rights organisations and international observers claim that increased displacement could only worsen famine and suffering in Gaza.

-Critics, including former Israeli officials, claim the operation may further isolate Israel globally and not provide ongoing security space.

Many Palestinians say there is little left of Gaza to occupy. The city has been bombed repeatedly, and thousands who returned during a ceasefire may now be forced to flee again.

Even with the humanitarian crisis deepening, Netanyahu remains determined to utilize military action to defeat Hamas for Israel's security. In turn, Hamas has accused Netanyahu of leveraging the war for political purposes, damaging efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. 

Meanwhile, there is apprehension throughout the world that we are witnessing a new escalation of violence, suffering, and instability in the region.