Netanyahu Cabinet Greenlights Full-Scale Occupation of Gaza City
Jerusalem — In the pre-dawn hours of Friday, Israel’s Security Cabinet formally sanctioned sweeping new instructions that will place Gaza City entirely under Israel Defense Forces (IDF) authority, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed. A terse communiqué stated that as combat units advance, humanitarian corridors will be preserved “outside active zones of fighting,” ensuring civilians can obtain basic supplies.
The Five Non-Negotiable Principles
The emergency session produced a concise but far-reaching decision document built on five pillars:
- Total disarmament of every Hamas formation in Gaza.
- Complete recovery of Israeli hostages — living or deceased.
- Permanent demilitarization of the coastal enclave.
- Long-term Israeli security oversight across the Strip.
- A new civilian administration that excludes both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
No Wish to Govern, Only to Guard
Less than 24 hours earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel’s objective is “to secure our future, not to colonize the territory.” He stressed that an eventual hand-off to unspecified “Arab forces” is contemplated once Hamas is dismantled.
“We are not planning to remain as an occupying power,” the premier insisted. “Our goal is a safety belt around Israel, then transition governance to partners who can deliver peace for us and dignity for the people of Gaza.”
A Global Backlash Takes Shape
The prospect of deeper IDF incursions has provoked warnings from Washington, Brussels, and numerous Gulf capitals, who argue that prolonged combat will worsen famine conditions already described by relief agencies as catastrophic. The U.S. and Israel have not yet announced a joint pathway forward, and last-ditch truce diplomacy appears stalled. Each side accuses the other of deliberately derailing shuttle talks.
Ambassador Huckabee Assigns Blame to Hamas
American envoy Mike Huckabee offered a bleak assessment on CBS: “The negotiation table is empty. Hamas never truly sat down to engage; now they feel emboldened because some European voices are amplifying humanitarian grievances while saying little about the fate of the hostages.”
Huckabee clarified that annexation plans, if any, are solely Israel’s to evaluate. “Counsel can be given if requested, but the decision rests in Jerusalem, not Washington,” he noted.
What Comes Next
Military convoys have begun repositioning for a potential corridor sweep, according to regional diplomats monitoring the border. Humanitarian officials warn that every hour counts for the estimated two million residents trapped inside Gaza City and adjacent districts.
The coming days will test whether Israel’s latest strategic gamble strengthens its security position or deepens its international isolation.
