Why Israel plans to take control of Gaza City – and what it means

Israel’s government has approved a plan for its military to take control of Gaza City — a move that marks a significant escalation in its nearly two-year war with Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the operation is intended to “defeat” Hamas, secure Israel’s borders, and pave the way for an alternative Palestinian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. The plan comes amid renewed efforts by Egypt and Qatar to broker a deal that would end the war and free the remaining hostages.

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism at home and abroad. Hamas has dismissed it as a “new war crime,” while countries including the UK, Germany, China, and Turkey have expressed concern about the humanitarian toll. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has even halted military exports to Israel over the plan. Critics fear the offensive will worsen famine conditions in Gaza, endanger the remaining hostages, and stretch Israel’s military further, while supporters see it as a decisive step toward dismantling Hamas’s control.

Under the plan approved by Israel’s security cabinet, the military will move to take control of Gaza City while distributing humanitarian aid outside combat zones. Netanyahu says Israel does not intend to govern Gaza long-term, but wants to establish a “security perimeter” before handing control to Arab forces. The plan also includes the demilitarisation of Gaza and the creation of an alternative Palestinian civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

Gaza City is one of the last major areas in the strip not fully under Israeli control. Capturing it would give Israel a symbolic and strategic win against Hamas, which has used the dense urban environment to regroup after previous raids. However, it is also home to a large civilian population, meaning any major assault could cause massive displacement and civilian casualties.

The UN has warned that Gaza is on the brink of famine, with food supplies critically low and aid deliveries severely restricted. A large-scale assault on Gaza City could block key relief routes and worsen conditions for civilians already in desperate need.

The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack left 1,219 people in Israel dead and 251 taken hostage. Today, 49 remain in Gaza, 27 of whom Israel believes are dead. Families of the captives fear that a military push into Gaza City will endanger the lives of those still held there, as some may be in or near the combat zones. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are pushing for an “all-or-nothing” deal to free all hostages — dead or alive — in exchange for a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.

Inside Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid has called the plan “a disaster” that will cost lives, drain resources and damage Israel’s diplomatic standing. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum accused the government of “abandoning” the captives. Internationally, even allies have voiced disapproval:

The timing of any major ground operation remains uncertain. Mobilising thousands of troops and evacuating civilians could take time, and the move risks stretching Israel’s military, which is already active on several fronts. Netanyahu has said Israel does not want to remain in Gaza, but with no clear successor administration in place, the question of who will govern after an Israeli takeover remains unanswered.

- with inputs from AFP and AP