Israeli media suggest war cabinet is poised to approve expanded operations across Gaza, intensifying global concern amid rising civilian casualties and hostage crisis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing to launch a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, according to multiple Israeli media outlets, including Channel 12, The Jerusalem Post, i24NEWS, and Ynet. The move, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing war in the besieged enclave.
Citing a senior official in the prime minister’s office, Channel 12’s chief political analyst Amit Sega reported:
“The decision has been made… Hamas won’t release more hostages without total surrender, and we won’t surrender.”
The proposed expansion of military operations would extend across the entire Gaza enclave, including areas where hostages are believed to be held. Netanyahu is set to convene his war cabinet on Tuesday to finalize the decision, as Israel’s campaign in Gaza approaches the two-year mark.
Global and Domestic Backlash
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the reported plans, calling on the international community to intervene urgently—whether the reports are intended to test global reaction or signal a genuine policy shift.
Netanyahu’s government is under mounting international pressure to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 60,930 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 18,430 children, since October 2023. On Monday alone, 74 Palestinians, including 36 aid seekers, were killed, according to Gaza medical sources.
At the same time, the Israeli leader faces domestic pressure over the fate of hostages still held by Hamas. Recent footage of detainees Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, appearing visibly emaciated, has fueled public outrage. The Israeli government says 49 hostages remain in captivity—27 of whom are presumed dead.
Netanyahu Reaffirms War Objectives
Speaking at a cabinet meeting Monday, Netanyahu doubled down on his administration’s war goals:
“We must continue to stand together and fight together to achieve all our war objectives: the defeat of the enemy, the release of our hostages, and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.”
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan accused Netanyahu of risking the hostages’ lives through continued escalation and blamed Western nations—particularly the United States—for ignoring what he called “war crimes” and “genocide”.
With international concern rising and a possible full occupation looming, the coming days may prove pivotal in shaping the future of Gaza—and the trajectory of one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.