Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved a plan for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to take control of Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed early Friday. The plan includes military control within the city while ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians outside combat areas.
Netanyahu’s office outlined five guiding principles for ending the conflict: dismantling Hamas, securing the return of all hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, maintaining Israeli security oversight, and creating a non-Hamas, non-Palestinian Authority civilian government in the territory.
Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said Israel aims to remove Hamas, establish a security buffer, and eventually hand governance over to “Arab forces” that do not threaten Israel, stressing that Israel does not plan to permanently govern Gaza.
The move comes amid heightened international pressure for a ceasefire, with aid agencies warning of famine in Gaza. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have recently collapsed, with each side blaming the other.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Hamas is not negotiating in good faith and accused European leaders of placing more pressure on Israel than Hamas. He emphasized that decisions on Gaza’s future are for Israel alone to make, though the U.S. would offer counsel if asked.
