AhlulBayt News Agency: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to seize the entire Gaza Strip, escalating the ongoing military operation.
In a video posted on X, Netanyahu stated that the Gaza population would be relocated as part of an "intensive" operation. He emphasized that Israeli forces would not enter Gaza, conduct raids, and then withdraw, declaring, "The intention is the opposite of that."
The plan reportedly involves the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza. According to the Hebrew-language Maariv daily, Netanyahu is expected to order an expansion of the ongoing offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Israel has already intensified its ground operations in Gaza, aiming to seize a significant portion of the territory amid the ongoing war. The military escalation has drawn widespread criticism, with opponents arguing that Israeli forces are repeatedly engaging in battles in the same areas.
In recent weeks, thousands of Israeli reservists have signed petitions demanding an end to the war in Gaza. Meanwhile, far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza, even if a new hostage deal is reached. He urged Israelis to embrace the term "occupation," saying, "We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip. We will stop being afraid of the word ‘occupation.’"
An Israeli campaign group has condemned the plan, arguing that it effectively sacrifices captives held in Gaza. The Captives' Families Forum labeled the cabinet-approved strategy the "Smotrich-Netanyahu Plan for sacrificing the captives."
Israeli authorities suppressed a protest outside the Knesset on Monday, where families of captives accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political survival rather than securing the release of hostages.
Former Israeli military affairs minister Avigdor Lieberman has also criticized Netanyahu’s cabinet, asserting that the war is politically motivated rather than a matter of national security. He claimed that the conflict is being prolonged to maintain Netanyahu’s grip on power.
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