Israel's Security Cabinet Approves Plan to Take Over Gaza City

Jerusalem – Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved a strategic plan to take control of Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Friday.

In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, ahead of the Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the goal is to ensure Israel’s security, dismantle Hamas, and liberate Gaza’s population.

“We don’t want to keep it,” Netanyahu said. “We want a security perimeter, and then to hand it over to Arab forces who can govern it properly, without threatening us, while giving the people of Gaza a chance at a better life.”

The Palestinian militant group Hamas responded strongly, calling Netanyahu’s remarks a “clear reversal” of ongoing negotiations and accusing him of revealing the true motives behind Israel’s recent withdrawal from peace talks.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
According to Gaza’s health authorities, at least 9,752 Palestinians have been killed and 40,004 injured since Israel resumed intense airstrikes on March 18. The total death toll since October 2023 has reached 61,258, with over 152,000 injured.

International Aid Efforts
Earlier this week, the Israeli military reported that five countries – the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Germany, Belgium, and France – conducted an airdrop of 107 aid packages over Gaza, mainly consisting of food.
These airdrops began in late July following international outcry over images of starving children in Gaza.

However, UN officials and humanitarian experts have warned that such airdrops have limited impact unless Israel opens border crossings and allows medical treatment for the malnourished. All hospitals in Gaza have reportedly been damaged or destroyed by Israeli strikes.

Growing Famine and Tactical Pauses
Nearly 22 months into the conflict, famine continues to spread across Gaza due to the Israeli blockade and sustained military offensive.

In a limited effort to ease humanitarian conditions, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on July 27 a daily tactical pause in military operations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in select areas, including Deir al-Balah, al-Mawasi, and parts of Gaza City where ground operations are not active.

The IDF stated the pause was ordered "in accordance with political directives" and is part of efforts led by COGAT to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

With inputs from IANS