UNDER SIEGE: Israeli cabinet approves plan to fully occupy Gaza amid international condemnation

By zoeysky // 2025-08-12

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Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to militarily occupy the entire Gaza Strip, starting with the seizure of Gaza City. While Israel avoids calling it an "occupation," officials confirm the goal is full military control.
Israel has presented its five war-ending principles: Destroy Hamas as a military and governing force, secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, strip Hamas of weapons to prevent future attacks, maintain long-term Israeli security control over Gaza and establish a new governing body in Gaza, excluding Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
The UN condemned the plan as illegal, warning of more deaths and suffering. The EU hinted at consequences for Israel, saying it violates international law. Germany paused arms exports to Israel, while the U.S. gave mixed signals, unofficially supporting Israel but facing domestic criticism.
Hamas called the plan a "war crime" and claimed Israel sabotaged ceasefire talks. The group vowed strong resistance, warning that an invasion would be costly for Israel.
Families of hostages and opposition leaders accused Netanyahu of risking hostages' lives. Military officials warned that the occupation could worsen the hostage crisis. Gaza is already in crisis, and famine, displacement and destruction could worsen under occupation. The situation risks escalating into the war’s deadliest phase, with no clear path to peace or security for Israelis or Palestinians.

The Israeli security cabinet has approved a controversial plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, according to local media reports on Friday, Aug. 8. The decision marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing war with Hamas and has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations, European leaders and even some of Israel’s closest allies. The operation is expected to begin with the seizure of Gaza City. Residents of the Strip's capital, home to roughly one million Palestinians, will reportedly be forced to evacuate before Israeli forces impose a siege and launch a full-scale ground assault. Israeli officials have avoided using the term "occupy " in official statements, likely to sidestep legal obligations under international law. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined five core principles guiding Israel's strategy:

Dismantling Hamas – The complete destruction of Hamas as a military and governing force.
Return of hostages – Securing the release of Israeli captives currently held in Gaza.
Demilitarization of Gaza – Preventing future attacks by stripping Hamas of weapons and military infrastructure.
Israeli security control – Maintaining indefinite military dominance over Gaza to prevent future threats.
Establishment of a civil administration – Creating a new governing body in Gaza that is not linked to Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

An Israeli official told Axios that the plan involves forcibly emptying Gaza City of civilians within two months, followed by a siege targeting Hamas fighters. An analysis of satellite images has revealed a significant military buildup near Gaza’s borders, signaling preparations for a major offensive. (Related: Warsaw and Tel Aviv clash over Gaza as historical wounds resurface; Polish PM Tusk compares Israel to Nazis.) The announcement has triggered swift condemnation from world leaders and humanitarian organizations. Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the plan a violation of international law. Turk warned it would lead to "more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction." He urged Israel to halt the offensive immediately, citing the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling that Israel must end its occupation of Palestinian territories. European Council President Antonio Costa warned that Israel’s decision would worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and undermine international law. He hinted at potential repercussions for EU-Israel relations, stating that the "decision must have consequences." Germany, one of Israel’s strongest European allies, has announced that it would suspend arms exports that could be used in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the move "disappointing," while other European nations, including the U.K., urged Israel to reconsider its escalation. While the Biden administration has not issued an official statement, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized countries pressuring Israel instead of Hamas. Meanwhile, hostage families and opposition leaders in Israel accused Netanyahu of endangering captives by pursuing a prolonged military campaign. Hamas condemned the plan as a "new war crime," accusing Israel of deliberately sabotaging ceasefire negotiations. The group claimed both sides were close to a deal before Israel withdrew, though no independent verification supports this claim. Moreover, Hamas warned that any full-scale invasion would "come at a high cost," vowing fierce resistance.

Domestic opposition: "A death sentence for hostages"

Inside Israel, families of hostages and opposition leaders slammed Netanyahu’s decision. Protesters gathered outside the cabinet meeting, calling the plan a "death sentence" for their loved ones. Israeli Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the move as a "disaster," accusing far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich of pushing Netanyahu into a reckless, prolonged war. Military officials have also reportedly warned that a full occupation could jeopardize hostage lives. With Gaza already devastated by months of bombardment, famine and mass displacement, a full-scale occupation risks further catastrophic humanitarian fallout. The international community remains deeply divided, with some nations calling for restraint while others continue to support Israel’s right to self-defense. As troops mass near Gaza’s borders, the stage is set for what could be the bloodiest phase of the war yet. Watch this episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as the Health Ranger Mike Adams talks about how the DHS is blocking disaster aid to Democrat-run cities that reject Israel's ethnic cleansing. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Domestic opposition: "A death sentence for hostages"

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