Israel’s Approval Of Plan To Seize Gaza City Paves Way For Wider Occupation

TEL AVIV — Israel’s security cabinet approved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to escalate the war in Gaza and occupy Gaza City, paving the way for a phased military takeover of the enclave that could lead to the deaths of more Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages being held there.

“The [Israel Defense Forces] will prepare for taking control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside the combat zones,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement sent to The Washington Post shortly after the decision was announced Friday. It did not elaborate on how Israel would handle deliveries of humanitarian assistance in the city or how Israeli initiatives would interact with U.S. plans to expand aid distribution in the enclave.

The plan marks a significant tactical shift for Israel — while its military has operated intensively in northern Gaza, including Gaza City, before, this is the first time it has been asked to hold and maintain control of the enclave’s largest city. Several of Israel’s allies, including Australia and the United Kingdom, were quick to condemn the plan — while Germany, one of Israel’s strongest backers, said it would halt exports to Israel of military equipment that could be used in Gaza.

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