Israeli security cabinet bucked warnings by the occupation military, approving a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to occupy the densely populated Gaza City overnight Thursday-Friday.
Roughly 800,000 Palestinians — many of whom have already been displaced several times throughout the 22-month brutal war — currently reside in Gaza City, in northern Gaza Strip.
A senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel news that the plan approved by the cabinet will see those civilians evacuated toward the south.
The Israeli cabinet decision states that Palestinians will have until October 7, 2025, to evacuate Gaza City.
According to Israeli media, the plan to occupy Gaza City was opposed by the army’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks during a security assessment on August 7, 2025 (image by Israeli occupation army).
The Israeli Broadcasting Authorities said the Israeli top commander said he was against the move because it would endanger the lives of the 20 captives believed to be still alive, it would exhaust Israeli soldiers and damage the so-called Israeli “international legitimacy”.
Zamir proposed instead an additional encirclement of the Strip without extensive reservist mobilization, the report said.
Taking Over or Occupation?
The occupation cabinet decision did not use the word “occupy,” and instead referred to “taking over.”
Ynet news site said the term was used “due to legal reasons pertaining to Israel’s responsibility for civilian matters in Gaza.”
The outlet added, however, citing an unnamed senior Israel official, that this distinction was superficial, and the decision in fact relates to full military rule. The conquest would stop if a hostage deal is clinched, according to the report.
A tent camp in Gaza city (image from August 3, 2025).
Serious Dispute between Netanyahu, Zamir
Meanwhile, Hebrew media highlighted the dispute between Netanyahu and Zamir. Haaretz newspaper reported on Friday that dispute between the two men over the continuation of the war in Gaza “is more serious than what was recently leaked by the media.”
The Israeli paper quoted sources as saying that the “chief of staff sees the occupation of Gaza as a tragedy and his dismissal has become a possible option.”
For its part, Israel Hayom quoted the Israeli chief of staff as saying that the reserve units “are exhausted and this will have tangible and difficult repercussions.”
He warned that “it will be difficult for the forces to have long-term control in Gaza,” according to Israel Hayom.
Source: Al-Manar English Website and Israeli media
