JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced early Friday that the country’s Security Cabinet has approved a plan for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to assume control of Gaza City.
According to the statement, the IDF will prepare for the operation while coordinating efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians outside active combat zones.
The Cabinet outlined five core principles for concluding the conflict:
- Disarmament of Hamas.
- Return of all hostages, both living and deceased.
- Complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip.
- Israeli security control over Gaza.
- Formation of an alternative civilian administration in Gaza, not led by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
Speaking Thursday, Netanyahu stressed that Israel intends to take control of the entire Gaza Strip for security purposes but has no plans to maintain long-term governance. Instead, he said, the territory would be handed over to “Arab forces” capable of governing without posing a threat to Israel.
Fox News quoted Netanyahu as saying, “We don’t want to keep Gaza. We want a security perimeter. We want to hand it over to Arab forces that will govern it properly and ensure a good life for Gazans.”
The proposed plan is expected to face strong international opposition, with close allies urging Israel to bring the conflict to an end. Aid agencies have warned of worsening famine conditions in Gaza.
Negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage exchange have collapsed in recent weeks, with each side blaming the other. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told CBS News that Hamas “was never serious about negotiating” and accused some European leaders of giving the group political cover.
Huckabee stressed that any decision regarding Gaza’s future ultimately lies with Israel.
“It’s not our job to tell them what to do,” he said. “If they seek advice, the president will offer it — but it’s ultimately up to the Israelis.”
