Israel approved plans to occupy the entire Gaza Strip on Monday and stayed on the territory for no clearly designated time, and Israeli officials said that if implemented it would greatly expand Israel's actions in the Palestinian territory and could bring fierce international opposition.
Israel's cabinet minister approved the plan in a morning vote, and the Israeli military chief said the army gathered thousands of reserve soldiers.
The new plan officials say is intended to help Israel achieve its war goals to defeat Hamas and release hostages in Gaza, and will also push thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, which could exacerbate the already terrifying humanitarian crisis. Israel imposed a fierce strike on the territory that killed hundreds of people as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed in mid-March. It captured many territories and now controls about 50% of Gaza. Before the truce ended, Israel suspended all humanitarian aid to Gaza, including food, fuel and water, triggering what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the war's nearly 19 months. The ban on aid has prompted widespread hunger and shortages have triggered robbery.
Israel is trying to increase pressure on Hamas
Israeli officials said the plan includes possession of capture zones and territories. The plan will also seek to prevent the radical Hamas group from distributing humanitarian aid, which Israel said strengthens the group's rule in Gaza. It also accuses Hamas of providing assistance to itself to enhance its capabilities. Officials said the plan also includes a powerful strike against Hamas targets.
Officials say the Israeli president has remained in touch with President Donald Trump’s plan to take over Gaza and relocate its population in the case of what Israel calls “voluntary immigration,” but this has sparked condemnation from Israel’s allies in Europe and the Arab world. One official said the official would implement it gradually.
For weeks, Israel has been working to increase pressure on Hamas and prompt it to show greater flexibility in the ceasefire negotiations. But international mediators trying to move one side toward a new agreement have been working to do this. Israel's measures do not seem to have taken Hamas from its negotiating position.
The previous ceasefire was intended to lead to the end of a war between the two sides, but this goal was repeatedly seen in talks between Israel and Hamas. Israel said it would not agree to end the war until Hamas was defeated. Meanwhile, Hamas demanded a deal for war.
Israel wants to prevent Hamas from handling aid
Israeli officials did not disclose details on how the program prevented Hamas from participating in the aid allocation. Some say ministers approved the option of aid allocation, “not elaborating.
Israel told the UN that it would use private security companies to control the aid distribution in Gaza, according to an internal memorandum between aid groups and seen by the Associated Press. The UN said in a statement on Sunday that it would not participate in the presentation of the program, saying it violated its core principles.
The memorandum was sent to aid organizations on Sunday, with a detailed explanation of the meeting between Israeli defense agencies, responsible for coordinating aid from Gaza, Kogat and the United Nations. All aid will be entered into Gaza through Kerem Shalom Crossing, allowing about 60 trucks to enter every day and distribute 20 kilograms of auxiliary packages directly to people on the day of entry, although their content is unclear as how many people can use the aid.
The memorandum said the assistance will be distributed at the logistics center and the hub will be operated by a private security company. Facial recognition will be used to identify Palestinians in the hub and SMS alerts will inform people in the area that can collect assistance, the memo said.
UN accuses Israel of hope for aid as a pressure tactic
The UN said the plan would leave most of the population including the most vulnerable. It said the plan appears to be to strengthen control over life-sustaining items as a pressure strategy as part of a military strategy.
The memo said the U.S. government has expressed clear support for Israel’s plans, but it is unclear who will fund private military companies or aid. Kogat and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this week, the Associated Press received dozens of documents about the aid group's potential to eventually replace Palestinians permanently and force them to live in de facto detention conditions.
The war in Gaza began with Hamas-led militants attacking southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. Israel said 59 prisoners remained in Gaza, although about 35 people were believed to have died.
According to Palestinian health officials, the Israeli offensive killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of whom were women and children, who did not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
The battle often displaces more than 90% of the Gaza population multiple times and turns Gaza into an uninhabitable period. Israel occupied Gaza in the Middle East War in 1967 and withdrew its troops and settlers in 2005. Two years later, Hamas took over the territory and has been in control since then.
