Israel escalates war with Security Cabinet approval for Gaza City takeover

Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved a plan to take over Gaza City, marking a major escalation in the country’s 22-month offensive, which began in response to Hamas' October 2023 attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the decision early Friday, sparking international outcry over the humanitarian implications.

The war has already claimed the lives of over 61,000 Palestinians, displaced the majority of Gaza's population, and devastated the territory’s infrastructure. With around 2 million residents pushed toward famine, the new strategy could worsen the crisis and further isolate Israel on the global stage.

Gaza City in the crosshairs

Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined plans for Israel to retake control of all Gaza, eliminate Hamas, and eventually hand governance to “friendly Arab forces.” However, the approved plan stops short of this, reflecting concerns from Israel’s top general, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who warned that occupying Gaza could endanger the lives of 20 remaining hostages held by Hamas and strain the military.

Gaza City, once a bustling urban center, has been a target of repeated bombings and raids. Unlike other parts of Gaza, it has not yet been turned into a buffer zone or placed under evacuation orders. A ground operation there could displace tens of thousands more civilians and disrupt already limited efforts to deliver humanitarian aid.

Hundreds of thousands of residents fled Gaza City in the early days of the war but returned during a brief ceasefire earlier this year. The exact number of people currently living in the area remains unclear.

Escalation risks lives and diplomatic ties

The expansion of military operations in Gaza would endanger countless Palestinian lives, deepen the humanitarian crisis, and further isolate Israel internationally. Families of hostages, former security officials, and activists have protested the plan, fearing it will doom negotiations for their loved ones’ release and bring little military benefit.

Netanyahu’s far-right coalition has come under criticism for pushing policies that escalate the war, with some allies advocating for the relocation of Gaza’s population and the reestablishment of Jewish settlements dismantled in 2005.

Yehuda Cohen, whose son is among the hostages, accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war to appease extremists in his government. “Netanyahu is working only for himself,” Cohen said during a protest near the maritime border with Gaza.

Humanitarian catastrophe deepens

The war’s toll is staggering. Gaza’s Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, reports over 61,000 deaths, though Israel disputes these figures without providing its own. On Thursday alone, 42 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes and shootings, including 13 people seeking aid in a military zone.

Efforts to deliver aid have been chaotic and deadly. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israeli-backed logistics group, has faced sharp criticism from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) for mismanagement and violence at distribution sites. MSF described the scenes as “laboratories of cruelty” and reported treating over 1,000 injuries—including gunshot wounds and injuries from pepper spray—near GHF distribution centers.

Israel and GHF have denied the allegations, blaming Hamas and the United Nations for distribution failures. The UN has accused GHF of forcing Palestinians to risk their lives for aid and advancing Israeli plans for mass displacement.

Netanyahu defends strategy

In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu defended the plan, stating, “We intend to assure our security, remove Hamas, and enable the population to be free of Gaza… We don’t want to keep it. We want to hand it over to Arab forces that will govern it properly.”

The Security Cabinet’s decision marks a pivotal moment in the conflict, with potential consequences for the region’s stability and Israel’s international standing.