Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a select group of senior ministers today to discuss plans for expanding Israel’s military control in Gaza, despite intensifying domestic and international opposition to the war, now nearing its second year.
The high-level security cabinet meeting follows a reportedly tense three-hour discussion earlier this week between Netanyahu and the army chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, during which Zamir is said to have voiced opposition to further escalation of the military campaign.
According to Israeli media, public sentiment is shifting, with a majority of Israelis favoring a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages rather than prolong the war. Nevertheless, the Netanyahu government insists on achieving a “total victory” over Hamas, the Palestinian militant group designated a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the EU.
Concerns Over New Offensive
Israeli forces already control about 75% of Gaza, yet plans to move into additional areas of the enclave have raised serious concern — both within Israel and abroad. The UN has described the reports of expanded military operations as “deeply troubling.”
The Hostage Families Forum, representing relatives of those still held captive in Gaza, has urged Chief of Staff Zamir to oppose the offensive and called on the government to accept a deal that would end the war and secure the release of around 50 remaining hostages, only 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
Mounting Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict has devastated the Gaza Strip, with humanitarian agencies warning of catastrophic famine. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed, approximately half of them women and children. At least 200 people, nearly half of them children, have died from starvation.
The war began with the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and resulted in 251 hostages being taken into Gaza. Many have since been released in prisoner swaps or temporary ceasefires, but dozens remain.
Internal Political Pressure
Netanyahu is caught between international pressure to reach a ceasefire and domestic pressure from his far-right coalition allies, some of whom have called for the full re-occupation of Gaza and the re-establishment of Israeli settlements — dismantled during the 2005 withdrawal.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Wednesday he hopes the government approves a full military takeover of Gaza.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the military will carry out the government’s decisions “until all war objectives are achieved.”
As the humanitarian crisis deepens and the political divide widens, today’s cabinet meeting could mark a turning point — either toward further escalation or a long-awaited resolution.
