Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the nation today to present his disputed plan for capturing Gaza City, facing opposition not only from his far-right coalition allies but also from the families of hostages. The announcement comes ahead of an emergency UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza.
After 22 months of war, Netanyahu is under intense pressure both domestically and internationally over the fate of 49 hostages still held by Hamas. The United Nations warns that two million Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip are on the brink of widespread famine.
The prime minister’s press office confirmed he will hold a press conference at 16:30 local time (15:30 CET) in Jerusalem.
On the ground, Gaza’s Civil Defense reported that 27 Palestinians were killed today, including 11 people shot while waiting for food distribution near humanitarian centers in northern and central Gaza. These centers are supported by both the United States and Israel.
According to the plan approved by Israel’s security cabinet on Friday after overnight deliberations, the military aims to take control of large parts of Gaza City while simultaneously distributing humanitarian aid outside active conflict zones.
The announcement has sparked fear among hostage families, who view the move as a potential death sentence for their loved ones. Hamas has warned that any new offensive could lead to the “sacrifice” of the hostages.
Last night, tens of thousands rallied in Tel Aviv demanding a deal to secure the release of all hostages—27 of whom the military has already declared dead—in exchange for a ceasefire.
Far-right leaders within Netanyahu’s coalition have also expressed dissatisfaction, arguing the plan lacks a decisive long-term solution and instead applies pressure on Hamas for a partial hostage deal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said, “I want the whole of Gaza, population transfer, and colonization.”
Netanyahu told Fox News on Thursday that Israel has no intention of permanently holding Gaza, suggesting it be handed over to Arab forces for governance.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid slammed the government’s plan as catastrophic, warning it would mobilize 430,000 reservists and cause deep internal division.
The families of hostages have called for a general strike next week.
The offensive plan, condemned internationally except by the United States, will be discussed at an emergency UN Security Council meeting scheduled for 10:00 local time today.
