Israel Plans Gaza City Takeover Amid Hostage, Humanitarian Concerns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans for Israel to take full military control of Gaza City as part of an expanded offensive against Hamas in the ongoing 22-month conflict. The Israeli military currently controls about three-quarters of Gaza and aims to establish a security perimeter, ultimately handing governance to Arab forces unaffiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. This escalation has drawn widespread international criticism, including from Germany, which has halted certain military exports to Israel, and from various countries urging Israel to reconsider due to the worsening humanitarian crisis and risks to hostages held by Hamas. Hamas condemned the planned expansion as a new war crime, warning of fierce resistance, while Israeli opposition and hostage family groups expressed concerns about the potential diplomatic, financial, and human costs. Meanwhile, mediators from Egypt and Qatar are working on a framework that could secure the release of all hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and famine conditions in Gaza, raising fears about the consequences of further military operations.