Israel Approves Gaza City Military Seizure Plan

Israel's security cabinet has approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for the military to seize Gaza City, aiming to defeat Hamas in a conflict that has already killed tens of thousands of Gazans and triggered international famine warnings. The plan, which stops short of full occupation, could displace up to a million Palestinians and has been condemned by the Palestinian Foreign Ministry as 'extermination and forced displacement.' Global leaders, including the U.N. human rights chief and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have called for an immediate halt, a ceasefire, and more humanitarian aid. Domestically, Israeli hostage families and military officials have voiced strong opposition, warning of increased bloodshed, deepening isolation, and the risks of a prolonged occupation. Netanyahu maintains that Israel does not intend to govern Gaza permanently and proposes handing control to Arab forces once Hamas is defeated. Israel's stated objectives remain the return of all hostages, disarmament of Hamas, and the establishment of a new civil administration in Gaza.