**Israel’s Plan for Gaza Sparks Warnings and Fears**
The Israeli government’s plans to launch a new military offensive in the Gaza Strip have sparked warnings from the army, opposition from hostage-holding families, and fears that more Palestinians will be killed. The proposal, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to take control of Gaza and remove Hamas as the governing power.
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu stated that Israel does not want to govern Gaza and plans to give it to Arab forces instead. However, he did not provide details about possible arrangements or which countries might be involved. This unusual indication of what he may be envisioning for Gaza after the war has raised concerns among international leaders.
**Israeli Army Chief Warns Against Occupation**
The chief of the Israeli army, Lt Gen Eyal Zmir, has warned Netanyahu that a full occupation of Gaza would be “equivalent to walking into a pit.” Zamir expressed concerns about the safety of both the hostages and the soldiers who would be involved in such an operation. Many hostage families share these fears, believing that negotiating a deal with Hamas is the only way to guarantee their loved ones’ release.
**International Leaders Speak Out**
The speculation about an expanded offensive has exposed divergences among some of Israel’s allies. The British ambassador in Israel, Simon Walter, stated that the full occupation of Gaza would be a “huge error.” In contrast, Mike Huckabee, a staunch Israeli supporter, believes it is up to Israel to decide whether to fully take over Gaza.
**Humanitarian Crisis Looms**
The possible operations could result in mass displacements of people and worsen the humanitarian crisis. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 61,000 Palestinians since October 2023. The Hamas-led conflict has also resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, with 251 hostages taken into Gaza.
**Netanyahu’s Motives Questioned**
Many in Israel believe that Netanyahu prolongs the conflict to ensure the survival of his government, which is dependent on the support of ultranationalists. These groups have threatened resignation if a deal is made with Hamas. The threat of an occupation could be part of a strategy used to try and force Hamas to make concessions in stagnant talks.
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