Jerusalem: Israel's far-right government has made its most explicit declaration yet of its long-term intentions in the Gaza Strip, with top Israeli officials publicly endorsing what many Palestinians and international observers have long feared: permanent military occupation and complete territorial control. The Israeli Security Cabinet unanimously approved a new plan on Monday that aims for Israel 'to conquer Gaza and hold the territory under its control,' according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
According to Anadolu Agency, the move came just two days after the army called up thousands of reservists amid preparations to escalate its military campaign. Netanyahu stated in a video posted on X, 'Let it be clear: we will not enter Gaza and then pull out as we've done in the past. We will not send reserve forces to temporarily control the area and then leave it with only sporadic raids on what remains. That will not happen.' Figures from his administration, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and others, echoed similar sentiments regarding the occupation.
The plan, code-named 'Gideon's Chariots,' outlines Israel's vision for long-term presence in Gaza, including full military control, forced displacement of civilians, and the takeover of humanitarian aid delivery. In the short term, it aims to intensify pressure on Hamas ahead of US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the region, according to Ihab Maharmeh, a policy analyst at Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network.
Experts like Andreas Krieg from King's College London express concern that Israel's expanding military infrastructure inside Gaza reflects a broader strategy of permanent control. Krieg highlighted that the establishment of new corridors in Gaza suggests the IDF is trying to carve up the territory, constraining the freedom of movement of Gazans and making it easier to control smaller areas.
The plan has raised alarms about potential ethnic cleansing. Andreas Krieg warned that Israel's strategy will advance the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, pushing hundreds of thousands from the north into smaller, more densely packed southern areas. Maharmeh described the strategy as part of a broader settler-colonial objective, citing Israel's 2005 disengagement from Gaza as viewed by the current far-right government as a historical error.
Israeli academic Neve Gordon also raised concerns about intentions to reintroduce settlements in Gaza, which would further displace Palestinians and exacerbate their suffering. Meanwhile, Israel's reported plan to control aid delivery in Gaza, involving American security contractors, has faced criticism from international aid groups and the UN. Gordon believes that one motive is to delegitimize UNRWA, the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees.
Krieg cautioned that Israel's plan to oversee humanitarian aid distribution via private US contractors is inadequate and potentially dangerous. The proposed system of centralized 'humanitarian hubs,' secured by private contractors, may pose legal challenges. Krieg noted that the status of these contractors under international humanitarian law is not well defined.
Analysts emphasize that thwarting Israel's reoccupation plans for Gaza depends on international reaction and pressure. Ihab Maharmeh stressed the importance of a strong international stance against the reoccupation and the need for unified Palestinian political leadership. Gordon underscored the role of global civil society and political pressure, calling for concerted action from Israel's major trading partners and countries worldwide.