Israel approved plans to occupy the entire Gaza Strip on Monday and stayed on the territory for no clearly designated time, and Israeli officials said that if implemented it would greatly expand Israel's actions in the Palestinian territory and could bring fierce international opposition.
Israel's cabinet minister approved the plan in a morning vote, and the Israeli military chief said the army gathered thousands of reserve soldiers. The new plan, officials said, aimed at helping Israel achieve its war goals to defeat Hamas and release hostages in Gaza, will also push thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, likely exacerbating the already terrifying humanitarian crisis.
Israel launched a fierce strike on territory that killed hundreds of people due to a ceasefire that collapsed with militant group Hamas in mid-March. It captured many territories and now controls about 50% of Gaza.
Before the truce ended, Israel suspended all humanitarian aid to Gaza, including food, fuel and water, triggering what is considered the worst humanitarian crisis in the war's nearly 19 months. The ban on aid has prompted widespread hunger and shortages have triggered robbery. Israel is trying to increase pressure on Hamas.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were discussing military plans.
Plan to control assistance through private companies
Israeli officials said the plan included “holding of the capture zone and territory.” The plan will also seek to prevent Hamas from distributing humanitarian aid, which Israel said strengthens the group's rule in Gaza. It also accuses Hamas of providing assistance to itself to enhance its capabilities.
Officials said the plan also includes a powerful strike against Hamas targets. Officials said Israel has relocated Gaza and its population in a case of what Israel calls “voluntary immigration.” Israel has linked several countries with plans from U.S. President Donald Trump to relocate Gaza and relocate its population.
Children in Gaza show signs of acute malnutrition as Israel’s lockdown on food and medicine stretches through the third month. Aid work is staggering, and as supplies are almost gone, the United Nations famine has begun.
For weeks, Israel has been working to increase pressure on Hamas and prompt it to show greater flexibility in the ceasefire negotiations. But international mediators trying to move one side toward a new agreement have been working to do this.
Israel's measures do not seem to have taken Hamas from its negotiating position. The previous ceasefire was intended to lead to the end of a war between the two sides, but this goal was repeatedly seen in talks between Israel and Hamas.
Israel said it would not agree to end the war until Hamas was defeated. Meanwhile, Hamas demanded a deal to cut the war.
Israeli officials did not disclose details on how the program prevented Hamas from participating in the aid allocation. Some say ministers approved the “optional allocation of aid” but did not elaborate on it.
Objection to the United Nations
Israel told the UN that it would use private security companies to control the aid distribution in Gaza, according to an internal memorandum between aid groups and seen by the Associated Press. The UN said in a statement on Sunday that it would not participate in the presentation of the program, saying it violated its core principles.
The memorandum was sent to aid organizations on Sunday, detailed by a meeting between Israeli defense agencies, responsible for coordinating coordinated assistance from Gaza, Kogat and the United Nations.
Under Cogat's plan, all aid will enter Gaza through Kerem Shalom Crossing, leaving about 60 trucks in every day and distribute 20 kilograms of assisted packages directly to people on the day of entry, although their content is unclear, like how many people can access the aid.
The memorandum said the assistance will be distributed at the logistics center and the hub will be operated by a private security company. Facial recognition will be used to identify Palestinians in the hub, and text alerts will inform people in the area that can collect assistance, the memo said.
The UN said the plan would leave most of the population including the most vulnerable. It said the plan “as part of the military strategy, it appears to be a goal of strengthening control over life-sustaining projects.”
happen6:43ICJ concluded a week of hearings on humanitarian aid to Gaza and ran out of food
The memo said the U.S. government has expressed clear support for Israel’s plans, but it is unclear who will fund private military companies or aid.
Kogat and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this week, the Associated Press received dozens of documents about the aid group's to the hub that could eventually lead to Palestinians and force them to live in “de facto internship conditions.”
The war in Gaza began with Hamas-led militants attacking southern Israel, killing 1,200 people (including Canadian citizens) and taking about 250 hostages. Israel said 59 prisoners remained in Gaza, although about 35 people were believed to have died.
According to Palestinian health officials, the Israeli offensive killed more than 52,000 people in Gaza, many of whom were women and children, who did not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
This battle usually displaces more than 90% of the Gaza population multiple times.
