Cabinet Approves Gaza City "Takeover" - Chief of Staff Zamir opposes full occupation

After a dramatic, hours-long cabinet meeting that stretched overnight, the Israeli government approved a controversial decision to launch a full-scale military operation in Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The decision, taken in the early hours of Friday morning, follows intense disputes between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who vocally opposed the plan.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office at 4:58 a.m., the political-security cabinet approved Netanyahu’s proposal to begin a staged “takeover” of Gaza City, despite the absence of consensus within Israel’s defense leadership and growing concerns about the fate of hostages held by Hamas.

Cabinet Approves Netanyahu's Principles to End the War"

The approved plan includes five strategic objectives:

1. Disarming Hamas

2. Returning all hostages, both living and deceased

3. Demilitarization of the Gaza Strip

4. Establishment of Israeli security control

5. Creation of an alternative civilian government not affiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority

The Prime Minister's Office emphasized that a “clear majority” of ministers believed that Zamir’s alternative encirclement plan would neither defeat Hamas nor secure the return of hostages.

Gaza City Evacuation Ordered by October 7

As part of the cabinet’s decision, the evacuation of Gaza City’s civilian population must be completed by October 7, a symbolic date marking one year since the October 2024 Hamas attacks. Following the evacuation, the IDF is expected to impose a siege on remaining Hamas forces.

Although the term “occupation” was avoided in the official decision—replaced by the term “takeover” for legal reasons—a senior Israeli official confirmed that the operation effectively constitutes a military occupation. The operation will proceed in phases, beginning in Gaza City, with the possibility of halting the offensive if Hamas agrees to a hostage deal.

Military Leadership Opposed the Plan

Chief of Staff Zamir led opposition to the plan during the marathon meeting, citing severe risks to hostage lives, civilian displacement, and troop attrition. He warned of the complexities of relocating nearly a million civilians and the potential failure to secure safe outcomes for the hostages:

“There is no humanitarian solution for the million people we will transfer. Everything will be complicated,” Zamir reportedly told the ministers.

He further challenged the political leadership, saying:

“I suggest that you remove the return of the kidnapped from the objectives of the fighting.”

Zamir also defended the results of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots”, asserting that it created the conditions for a hostage deal that ultimately was not executed.

 Ben-Gvir, Smotrich Attack Zamir

Right-wing ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich clashed with Zamir during the debate. Ben-Gvir accused the Chief of Staff of disloyalty, saying:

“Stop talking to the media. You are subordinate to the political echelon. Learn from the police how to obey decisions.”

Smotrich voiced frustration over the absence of an ironclad clause preventing a halt in fighting even if a hostage deal is reached. He said:

“If we go for a temporary deal, that's defeat. We must not stop halfway.”

Other ministers, including Miri Regev and Ze'ev Elkin, also pushed back against Zamir’s warnings, calling instead for an unambiguous military victory.

Deri Urged Caution Behind the Scenes

Former Minister and Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri, who attended the meeting despite his party’s recent resignation from the coalition, pushed behind the scenes for a more restrained approach. Though not a minister, Deri actively lobbied ministers to consider Zamir’s alternative and soften Netanyahu’s plan.

During a short break in the meeting, informal consultations were held among ministers, with Deri advocating against a full occupation.

Mediators Claim Hamas Softening

Negotiation teams noted that international mediators are signaling Hamas’s potential return to the negotiating table, raising hopes of a hostage agreement. However, most ministers rejected the claim as a stalling tactic, accusing mediators of consistently failing to pressure Hamas into a deal.

“We must not fall into the trap of the mediators, who are only working to save Hamas from an Israeli military victory,” one minister reportedly said.

Humanitarian Aid Approved

While the cabinet agreed to expand humanitarian aid to Gaza, it rejected the idea of establishing a “humanitarian city” for displaced residents. The move came amid reports that the United States backs the current military plan and is preparing to announce a comprehensive humanitarian package, including up to 16 new food distribution centers in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu: “I Want to Defeat Hamas, Not Perpetuate It”

Throughout the debate, Netanyahu remained firm in his position that the current strategy had failed and that nothing short of military victory would suffice:

“I don’t want to perpetuate Hamas. I want to defeat it,” he said.

Despite concerns from hostage families and military leaders, Netanyahu reportedly insisted on including language in the decision that would not allow the operation to be halted, even if Hamas agrees to negotiations.

Still, he acknowledged the possibility of pausing operations if Hamas meets Israel’s conditions:

“Even in the operation to occupy the Gaza Strip, we can stop the fighting if Hamas agrees to accept Israel’s conditions.”

What's Next

The IDF will now begin preparations to enter Gaza City, with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and Prime Minister Netanyahu authorized to approve the final operational plan.

Whether the decision will lead to the collapse of Hamas, the safe return of hostages, or a protracted urban conflict remains uncertain.