As tensions continue to rise in the region, Israel is now gearing up for a major shift in its military approach to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secured the backing of his security cabinet to move forward with a plan aimed at taking control of Gaza City—marking what could become a critical turning point in the war against Hamas.
Netanyahu’s New Plan Gets the Green Light
Late on Wednesday, the Israeli security cabinet gave the go-ahead to a proposal laid out by Netanyahu, which would involve the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) preparing to move into Gaza City.
This isn’t just about a temporary incursion—this is about establishing a stronger Israeli military presence in the heart of Gaza, while simultaneously rolling out humanitarian support for civilians who are not in the line of fire.
In a statement released by the prime minister’s office, it was made clear that the operation’s primary aim is to “defeat Hamas.”
But at the same time, officials emphasized that aid would continue to reach civilians outside the conflict zones.
Axios was among the first to report the details.
Five Key Goals Behind the Offensive
Netanyahu’s office outlined five core principles that have guided this plan, and according to reports from the Times of Israel, most of the cabinet supports them. These include:
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Fully disarming Hamas
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Securing the release of the remaining 50 hostages
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Demilitarizing the entire Gaza Strip
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Establishing long-term Israeli security control over the area
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Replacing Hamas and the Palestinian Authority with a new civilian government
So while the military aspect is front and center, there’s also a longer-term vision for what comes next—one that reshapes who governs Gaza.
What Netanyahu Says About Full Control
Netanyahu hasn’t shied away from addressing whether Israel intends to take full control of Gaza.
In a recent Fox News interview, he responded plainly: “We intend to.”
But he also clarified that Israel doesn’t plan on holding onto the territory long-term.
“We don’t want to keep it,” he said. “We want to have a security perimeter.
We don’t want to govern it. We don’t want to be there as a governing body.”
Instead, Netanyahu envisions Arab forces stepping in to manage Gaza in a way that doesn’t pose a threat to Israel—and ideally gives civilians there a better quality of life.
A Promise to ‘Liberate’ Both Sides from Hamas
In his remarks, Netanyahu framed the military operation as not just a move to defend Israel, but to “liberate ourselves and the people of Gaza from the awful terror of Hamas.”
The goal, he suggested, is to dismantle Hamas’s control in the region entirely, both for the safety of Israelis and for the future of Palestinians living under militant rule.
What Comes Next?
This is a rapidly evolving story with huge implications for both sides of the conflict.
The Israeli government has made it clear that it’s preparing for a more aggressive stance, even as questions linger about who will ultimately take over governance of Gaza after Hamas.
As the IDF mobilizes and the political groundwork is laid, all eyes are now on what the next few days will bring in this high-stakes conflict.