Netanyahu divides Israelis and allies with plan for new military push in Gaza
BBC :
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial plans for a new military push in the Gaza Strip have raised warnings from the army leadership, opposition from hostage families and concerns that more Palestinians will be killed.
They also risk isolating his country even further. In a meeting of the security cabinet that lasted 10 hours, ministers approved proposals for the “takeover of Gaza City”, which is likely to be the first phase for the Israeli military to assume full control of Gaza, as Netanyahu says it is his intention.
A statement released by his office did not use the word “occupation” but, effectively, that is what the plans mean.
It is not clear when the operations, which could take months, will start, as the military will have to call up thousands of reservists, exhausted after serving multiple times, and allow for the forced evacuation of residents from an area where around 800,000 Palestinians live.
Many, if not most, have already been repeatedly displaced in this war.
The plans will spark fresh condemnation from countries which have expressed anger over the situation in Gaza and urged Israel to end the war, which started as a response to the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described the decision as “wrong” and called on Israel to reconsider it “immediately”.
But international pressure is unlikely to force Netanyahu change his course.
There is discontent at home, too. Polls suggest most of the Israeli public favour a deal with Hamas for the release of the 50 hostages, 20 of whom are thought to be alive, and the end of the war.
The threat of a full occupation could be part of a strategy to try to force the group into making concessions in stalled ceasefire talks.
Israeli leaders say Hamas, for now, is not interested in negotiating as, in their view, the group is feeling emboldened, a view that seems to be shared by the Trump administration which has not expressed opposition to Israel’s plans.
Many here believe that Netanyahu is prolonging the conflict to guarantee the survival of his coalition, which relies on the support of ultranationalist ministers who have threatened to quit the government if the war ends.