Israel Approves Military Plan for Gaza Conquest Amid Ongoing Conflict
New military operations aim to 'conquer' Gaza territory, involving mass displacement of civilians.
On May 5, 2025, Israel's government announced a new military campaign targeting the Gaza Strip, which is described as aiming for the 'conquest' of the Palestinian territory and necessitating, according to military sources, the internal displacement of 'most' of its inhabitants.
This expansion of military operations was approved by Israel's security cabinet following 19 months of conflict with Hamas.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported the mobilization of 'tens of thousands of reservists' ahead of what has been characterized as a 'large-scale attack' to facilitate this operation.
Brigadier General Effi Defrin, an army spokesperson, confirmed plans for the relocation of the majority of Gaza's population from combat zones.
Gaza, which has seen repeated displacements since the conflict escalated, has been subject to an airtight blockade imposed by Israel since March 2. Aid agencies and international organizations have voiced increasing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where approximately 2.4 million residents face severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
The United Nations has consistently warned about the impending humanitarian disaster, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing alarm over the Israeli plan.
In response, the Israeli government claims there is 'currently sufficient food' available in Gaza and has indicated a potential for humanitarian distribution if deemed 'necessary.' The stated objective of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which is among the most right-wing in Israel's history, remains the 'defeat' of Hamas, which initiated the war with an unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023. Another key goal is to secure the release of hostages taken during that attack.
According to a senior security official, the preparation period for the military operation might create a window for negotiating the release of hostages, aligning with the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to the Middle East from May 13 to May 16. The Forum of Families, the largest association representing Israeli hostages, has criticized the government's decision to proceed with a plan that would endanger hostage lives, arguing that it contradicts the desires of over 70% of the population.
The ongoing military actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of more than 850 Israeli soldiers.
During the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu expressed intentions to advance Trump's plan, which involves the voluntary departure of Gaza's residents.
In early February, Trump had proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza for reconstruction efforts, proposing to transform it into the 'Riviera of the Middle East,' a plan that faced widespread international backlash.
Despite this, Israeli officials frequently reference it, having set up an agency to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from Gaza.
Accusations and counter-accusations continue to characterize the situation, with Israel alleging that Hamas diverts humanitarian aid, justifying the blockade as leverage to pressure the group into releasing hostages.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) criticized the Israeli plan, stating that large areas of Gaza would remain without essential supplies, violating fundamental humanitarian principles.
Hamas, for its part, condemned the situation as 'blackmail' regarding humanitarian assistance.
Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire.
The attack initiated on October 7 had resulted in 1,218 deaths in Israel, the majority of whom were civilians, according to official data.
Among the 251 people abducted during the assault, 58 remain in captivity in Gaza, with 34 officially reported deceased by the Israel Defense Forces.
Additionally, Hamas is holding the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a previous conflict in Gaza in 2014. The retaliatory Israeli campaign has led to at least 52,567 fatalities in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to data from the Hamas health ministry, which the UN considers reliable.
This expansion of military operations was approved by Israel's security cabinet following 19 months of conflict with Hamas.
The Israeli Defense Forces reported the mobilization of 'tens of thousands of reservists' ahead of what has been characterized as a 'large-scale attack' to facilitate this operation.
Brigadier General Effi Defrin, an army spokesperson, confirmed plans for the relocation of the majority of Gaza's population from combat zones.
Gaza, which has seen repeated displacements since the conflict escalated, has been subject to an airtight blockade imposed by Israel since March 2. Aid agencies and international organizations have voiced increasing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where approximately 2.4 million residents face severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
The United Nations has consistently warned about the impending humanitarian disaster, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing alarm over the Israeli plan.
In response, the Israeli government claims there is 'currently sufficient food' available in Gaza and has indicated a potential for humanitarian distribution if deemed 'necessary.' The stated objective of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which is among the most right-wing in Israel's history, remains the 'defeat' of Hamas, which initiated the war with an unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023. Another key goal is to secure the release of hostages taken during that attack.
According to a senior security official, the preparation period for the military operation might create a window for negotiating the release of hostages, aligning with the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to the Middle East from May 13 to May 16. The Forum of Families, the largest association representing Israeli hostages, has criticized the government's decision to proceed with a plan that would endanger hostage lives, arguing that it contradicts the desires of over 70% of the population.
The ongoing military actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of more than 850 Israeli soldiers.
During the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu expressed intentions to advance Trump's plan, which involves the voluntary departure of Gaza's residents.
In early February, Trump had proposed a U.S. takeover of Gaza for reconstruction efforts, proposing to transform it into the 'Riviera of the Middle East,' a plan that faced widespread international backlash.
Despite this, Israeli officials frequently reference it, having set up an agency to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from Gaza.
Accusations and counter-accusations continue to characterize the situation, with Israel alleging that Hamas diverts humanitarian aid, justifying the blockade as leverage to pressure the group into releasing hostages.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) criticized the Israeli plan, stating that large areas of Gaza would remain without essential supplies, violating fundamental humanitarian principles.
Hamas, for its part, condemned the situation as 'blackmail' regarding humanitarian assistance.
Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire.
The attack initiated on October 7 had resulted in 1,218 deaths in Israel, the majority of whom were civilians, according to official data.
Among the 251 people abducted during the assault, 58 remain in captivity in Gaza, with 34 officially reported deceased by the Israel Defense Forces.
Additionally, Hamas is holding the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in a previous conflict in Gaza in 2014. The retaliatory Israeli campaign has led to at least 52,567 fatalities in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to data from the Hamas health ministry, which the UN considers reliable.
