Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced plans to relocate Gaza's population to the southern region of the enclave, following the security cabinet's approval of an expanded military operation, which one minister characterized as a strategy to "conquer" Gaza.
This decision coincides with the Israeli military's mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities.
In a video message on X , "Netanyahu emphasized that the military would not engage in temporary incursions but would instead aim to hold territory and advance further. "
He said that the civilian displacement is intended to safeguard the population amid the intensified military campaign. The operation, dubbed Gideon’s Chariots, has received unanimous backing from the security cabinet and seeks to dismantle Hamas while ensuring the release of all hostages.
A senior Israeli security official indicated that the operation is set to commence after U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to the Middle East, which is viewed as a "potential opportunity " for a hostage negotiation.
" If no agreement is reached, the operation will proceed vigorously until all objectives are met. " Said officials
'Under this plan, the population of Gaza will be moved south, with the possibility of lifting the humanitarian blockade only after this displacement occurs. '
The Israeli military intends to maintain control over all captured areas and establish a permanent security buffer zone around Gaza.
Netanyahu added that the military is on the brink of a significant incursion into Gaza, following recommendations from the General Staff. Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, highlighted that the primary focus of the operation is the return of hostages, prioritizing this goal above the defeat of Hamas.
This position faced backlash from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who criticized Defrin for being “confused” about the military's relationship with political leadership.
Families of hostages voiced their fears that an escalation of the conflict could endanger their loved ones, condemning the government's apparent focus on military operations over negotiating a hostage resolution.
In response to inquiries about the U.S. perspective, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes emphasized that the President has made it clear that Hamas will face serious consequences for holding hostages, asserting that Hamas is solely responsible for the ongoing conflict and the resurgence of violence.
Also ,Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich indicated on Monday that Gaza might be annexed following military action, asserting, “We are finally going to conquer the Gaza Strip.” Although he did not explicitly call for annexation as a war goal, he remarked that once military operations commence, there would be no retreat, even for hostages.
Smotrich, a prominent far-right figure within the coalition, stressed that any territory gained should remain under Israeli control. Since mid-March, over 2,400 Palestinians have reportedly died in Gaza due to intensified Israeli airstrikes, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting more than 52,000 fatalities since the conflict's onset.
Officials indicated that military escalation would be gradual to allow for a possible ceasefire or hostage negotiations before Trump's visit to the region, which includes stops in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, but no plans to visit Israel. The United Nations has expressed serious concern regarding Israel's intended military expansion, with UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq saying that Secretary-General António Guterres is “deeply concerned” about the risk of increased civilian casualties.
Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza has now entered its ninth week. Although the cabinet has approved a new framework to resume aid deliveries, it has yet to be implemented. This decision has led to internal disagreements, particularly among far-right ministers who oppose the aid, while IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir contends that Israel is legally obligated to support humanitarian relief efforts in accordance with international law.