Netanyahu meets security officials as Israel considers full Gaza takeover
- Last updated: August 6, 2025 | 10:11
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met senior security officials to finalise a new strategy for the nearly two-year war in the Gaza Strip, his office said on Tuesday, with media reporting he favoured a complete military takeover of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory.
Despite intense international pressure for a ceasefire to ease hunger and appalling conditions in the besieged enclave, efforts to mediate a truce between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas, which governs Gaza, have collapsed.
Local health authorities said at least 20 people were killed by Israeli gunfire as they waited for United Nations aid trucks in the northern Gaza Strip. In southern Gaza, 20 people were wounded by Israeli gunfire as they waited to get aid from UN aid trucks near Morag Square near Rafah, medics said.
Eight more people died of starvation or malnutrition in the last day, Gaza's Health Ministry said, while at least 80 people were killed in the latest Israeli firing. Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the prime minister had held a "limited security discussion" lasting about three hours during which military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir "presented the options for continuing the campaign in Gaza".
An Israeli official had earlier told the media that Defence Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Netanyahu, would also attend the meeting to decide on a strategy to take to the cabinet this week. Israeli media reported on Tuesday that the cabinet would convene on Thursday at 6 pm (1500 GMT).
Israel's Channel 12, citing an official from Netanyahu's office, had said the prime minister was leaning towards taking control of the entire territory. That would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw Israeli citizens and soldiers from Gaza, while retaining control over its borders, airspace and utilities, a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there in the 2006 election.
It was unclear, however, whether Netanyahu was foreseeing a prolonged takeover or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages. The prime minister's office declined to comment on the Channel 12 report.
"It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel," Netanyahu told new recruits at a military base. "We are not giving up on any of these missions."
The UN called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel's military operations throughout the Gaza Strip "deeply alarming" if true.
US President Donald Trump declined to say whether the US, Israel's closest military ally, supported Netanyahu's plans.
"I know that we are there now trying to get people fed," Trump told reporters. "As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel."
On Saturday, Hamas released a video of the Israeli hostage Evyatar David, appearing emaciated in what seemed to be an underground tunnel. The images shocked Israelis and sparked international condemnation.
Reuters