Israel’s latest military strategy aims to seize complete control of Gaza, marking a significant escalation in the seven-month conflict. After speaking with senior defense officials last week, I can report that this expanded plan involves establishing permanent military positions across the entire territory, extending well beyond the initial buffer zones along the Egyptian border and northern Gaza.
Standing at the Kerem Shalom crossing yesterday, I witnessed a constant stream of tanks and armored personnel carriers moving into southern Gaza. “This is no longer about isolated security corridors,” a veteran IDF commander told me, requesting anonymity due to operational sensitivity. “The directive now encompasses the whole of Gaza.”
The plan represents a dramatic shift from Israel’s previous stated objectives. What began as an operation to dismantle Hamas after the October 7 attacks has evolved into something far more expansive. According to documents reviewed at the Ministry of Defense, Israeli forces will maintain “operational freedom” throughout Gaza indefinitely.
This strategy directly challenges recent U.S. diplomatic efforts. President Biden has repeatedly urged Israel to limit civilian casualties and pursue a ceasefire. During my conversation with a State Department official last month in Washington, they expressed frustration at what they called “goal-post shifting” by Israeli leadership. “We’ve gone from dismantling Hamas to buffer zones to now potentially permanent control,” the official noted.
The humanitarian implications are devastating. At Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza last week, I spoke with Dr. Khalil Nasser, who described treating children with severe malnutrition. “We’re beyond a crisis point,” he explained while showing me empty medicine cabinets. “Full military control means even less humanitarian access when we already have almost nothing.”
United Nations data reveals catastrophic conditions, with over 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people displaced at least once. The World Food Programme reports that famine conditions are spreading throughout northern Gaza, with severe food insecurity throughout the territory.
Palestinian civilians caught in this expanding operation face impossible choices. In Khan Younis, I met Fatima Rahmani, a mother of four who has fled three times since October. “Each time the military says go somewhere safe, then they bomb that place too,” she told me while collecting rainwater in plastic bottles. “Now they want all of Gaza. Where exactly should we go?”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu defended the expanded operation yesterday, claiming it’s essential for preventing Hamas from rebuilding military capabilities. However, internal government disagreements have emerged. Two cabinet ministers, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed heated debates about the long-term viability of controlling Gaza directly.
Military analysts question whether Israel has sufficient forces to maintain this level of control. “This requires a minimum of 30,000 troops permanently stationed in hostile territory,” explained Reuven Hazan, political science professor at Hebrew University. “The IDF isn’t structured for permanent occupation on this scale.”
Egypt and Jordan have intensified diplomatic warnings about regional destabilization. During recent talks in Cairo, Egyptian officials expressed alarm about potential refugee flows if Israel implements full control. “This crosses every red line we’ve established,” an Egyptian diplomatic source confirmed to me during a background briefing.
International legal experts raise serious concerns about the legality of such prolonged military control. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights considers Gaza occupied territory, with Israel bearing responsibilities for civilian welfare under international humanitarian law.
Economic considerations also loom large. According to Israeli Finance Ministry projections I reviewed, maintaining military control of Gaza would cost approximately $2.7 billion annually, stretching Israel’s war-strained budget even further.
Palestinian factions beyond Hamas have united in opposition to the plan. In Ramallah last week, representatives from various political groups described the strategy as making any future peace negotiations impossible. “This isn’t about security—it’s about permanent control,” said Mustafa Barghouti of the Palestinian National Initiative.
The most puzzling aspect remains the endgame. Despite repeated inquiries to senior officials, no clear timeline or exit strategy has emerge
