Despite military warnings, the security cabinet approved the occupation of Gaza City
According to The Times of Israel, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed on August 8 local time that the Israeli Security Cabinet had approved the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) taking over Gaza City in northern Gaza. The Guardian pointed out that this marks another escalation in Israel's 22-month campaign in Gaza.
Israeli media noted that Netanyahu is intent on "completely occupying the Gaza Strip," while the latest statement from his office mentions "taking over Gaza City." Analysts point out that this means the IDF will also advance into other areas not yet under control.
Senior Israeli military officials strongly opposed the "full occupation" of Gaza. Earlier, the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir, warned that a "complete conquest" of Gaza could instead trap the forces and put the remaining hostages "in danger."
The statement released by the Netanyahu Office on the social media platform X stated: "The Security Cabinet has approved the proposal submitted by the Prime Minister to defeat the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). The Israel Defense Forces will prepare to take over Gaza City, while distributing humanitarian aid to civilians outside the combat zones."
The statement said that most members of the Security Cabinet also support five conditions for ending the war: disarming Hamas; returning all hostages held by Hamas, including survivors and deceased hostages; demilitarizing the Gaza Strip; Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip; and establishing an alternative civilian government in the Gaza Strip that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1839883323565060/
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