Israel’s cabinet has approved a plan to take control of the Gaza Strip in its entirety. Such a campaign would intensify the war effort against Hamas and its allies following the October 7th pogrom of 2023.
A Sunday night security cabinet meeting tasked the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) with expanding operations in the Strip to bring the whole territory under its control. This would involve a complete occupation of the area—for an unspecified amount of time—until Hamas is defeated.
The decision follows a comprehensive call-up of reserve forces. Since the breakdown of the most recent ceasefire in March 2025, the IDF intends to hold on to the land it has taken. It was alleged previously that Islamist forces had been regrouping in territory that the IDF was moving on from.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu argues that continuous military pressure is the best way to rescue or recover the hostages.
