What's happened
As of August 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved plans for a full military occupation of Gaza, including Gaza City and other areas where Hamas captives are believed held. The move faces opposition from Israeli military leaders concerned about hostage safety and troop fatigue. Netanyahu intends to hand governance to Arab forces, not Israel, amid stalled ceasefire talks and worsening humanitarian conditions.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Shift and Political Calculus
Netanyahu's decision to pursue full military occupation of Gaza marks a significant escalation in a nearly two-year conflict. This move is driven by a combination of political pressure from far-right coalition members demanding decisive action and the imperative to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, this strategy risks exacerbating humanitarian crises and deepening international condemnation.
Military and Humanitarian Challenges
The Israeli military, led by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, opposes the full occupation due to concerns about troop fatigue, the complexity of urban warfare in densely populated areas, and the danger posed to hostages. The IDF warns that occupying Gaza could lead to prolonged insurgency and increased casualties among soldiers and civilians alike.
Governance Ambiguity
Netanyahu's plan to hand over governance to unspecified Arab forces without Israeli civil administration reflects an attempt to avoid long-term occupation responsibilities. Yet, the lack of clarity on which Arab entities would govern Gaza and the rejection of Palestinian Authority involvement complicates prospects for stability.
International and Domestic Reactions
Internationally, the UN and Arab states have expressed alarm, emphasizing Gaza's status as part of a future Palestinian state and warning against forced displacement. Domestically, protests and dissent within Israel highlight divisions over the war's expansion and its human cost.
Forecast
The full occupation will likely intensify the conflict, risking further civilian suffering and complicating hostage negotiations. The military's reservations suggest potential internal friction within Israel's leadership. Without a clear post-conflict governance plan accepted by Palestinians and regional actors, Gaza's future remains uncertain, potentially fueling prolonged instability.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports Netanyahu's security cabinet approved plans to "defeat" Hamas by taking full control of Gaza, with the prime minister stating Israel "intends to" occupy the entire Strip but "does not intend to govern it," aiming instead to hand governance to Arab forces. The Times of Israel elaborates on Netanyahu's five principles for post-Hamas Gaza, emphasizing disarmament, demilitarization, and a non-Israeli civilian authority, while noting Hamas and Jordan's rejection of these plans. SBS highlights the tension between Netanyahu and military chief Eyal Zamir, who opposes the occupation, and records domestic protests against expanding the war. The New Arab and Al Jazeera detail the military's concerns about hostage safety and troop fatigue, with Zamir warning of a "trap" and alternatives like encirclement being proposed. NY Post and South China Morning Post provide analysis on the military and political risks, including the strain on the IDF and the potential for insurgency. The Independent and Al Jazeera underscore international warnings about humanitarian consequences and legal concerns, with UN officials calling the expansion "deeply alarming." Collectively, these sources reveal a government divided between political imperatives and military caution, set against a backdrop of worsening humanitarian conditions and stalled ceasefire talks.
How we got here
The conflict began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, triggering a prolonged Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Israel currently controls about 75% of Gaza but has avoided full occupation due to concerns over hostages and military strain. Netanyahu's government, pressured by far-right coalition members and ongoing hostage crises, is now pushing for expanded control to defeat Hamas and secure hostages' release.
Go deeper
- What are the risks of a full Israeli occupation of Gaza?
- How is the international community responding to Israel's plans?
- What is the status of the hostages held by Hamas?
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Eyal Zamir is a major general in Israel Defense Forces. He was the Deputy Chief of the General Staff from December 2018 and was replaced by Herzi Halevi in July 2021.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Gaza City, often simply called Gaza, is a city in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and the capital of the Gaza Governorate. Located on the Mediterranean coast, 76.6 kilometres (47.6 mi) southwest of Jerusalem, it was home to Palestine's only port. With a popula