**Israeli Security Cabinet to Meet on Plan to Fully Occupy Gaza**
The Israeli security cabinet is set to meet on Thursday to decide whether to order a complete military takeover of the Gaza Strip. This move has been met with warnings from the UN and some Israeli officials that it would have catastrophic consequences for both hostages and Palestinians.
According to reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees this as the only way to destroy Hamas and free hostages still held by the group following the breakdown of ceasefire talks. However, top UN official Miroslav Jenca has said that such a move is against international law and a “deeply frightening” prospect.
Currently, Israeli forces control around three-quarters of Gaza, but the plan is to take control of Gaza City, which is home to over 1 million residents, and relocate them to the south. This would require tens of thousands of soldiers, according to reports.
**Concerns Over Humanitarian Crisis**
The war in Gaza has created a disaster for the territory, with many UN-backed experts stating that it is on the verge of famine. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have denied targeting civilians, claiming that soldiers fired warning shots to keep crowds away or in response to threats.
However, Hamas’s health ministry and other witnesses have blamed Israeli forces for the civilian casualties. The war has already killed at least 61,158 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
**Alternative Plan Proposed**
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zmir has warned Netanyahu that control of Gaza could trap troops and endanger hostages. He has proposed an alternative plan that involves encircling the remaining Hamas-held strongholds instead of full occupation.
Despite some misgivings about Netanyahu’s plan, Israeli media reports that the security cabinet is likely to approve it. The US has been mediating indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas for several months, but negotiations broke down two weeks ago.
**Background**
The conflict in Gaza has a long history, with repeated cycles of violence and truces. However, the current situation is particularly dire, with both sides seemingly unable or unwilling to find a peaceful resolution.
As the international community watches, the fate of Gaza and its residents hangs in the balance. Will the Israeli security cabinet approve the plan for full occupation, and what will be the consequences for all parties involved? Only time will tell.
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