Israel plans full occupation of Gaza as 138 people killed in 24 hours

Israel is planning a full occupation of Gaza in the coming days, according to sources. The shift in strategy has triggered internal tensions within the Israeli military, with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warning that such a move could be disastrous. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to announce a new phase in the conflict […]

Israel is planning a full occupation of Gaza in the coming days, according to sources.

The shift in strategy has triggered internal tensions within the Israeli military, with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warning that such a move could be disastrous.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to announce a new phase in the conflict after emphasising that Israel must “complete” the defeat of Hamas to secure the release of hostages.

According to Israeli media citing unnamed officials, this new phase may involve intensified operations in densely populated areas like Gaza City and several refugee camps, where hostages are believed to be held.

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The reports further suggested Netanyahu and his cabinet are considering a full military occupation of Gaza—a proposal that met resistance from the army’s Chief of Staff.

During a restricted three-hour meeting with security chiefs on Tuesday, Zamir reportedly cautioned that a full occupation would be akin to “walking into a trap,” according to public broadcaster KAN.

Instead, Zamir proposed alternatives such as targeting specific areas through encirclement operations, where Hamas fighters are thought to be entrenched, reported Channel 12.

Despite the dissent, Defence Minister Israel Katz declared on Wednesday that the Israeli military must execute all decisions made by the government regarding operations in the Gaza Strip, even amid reported internal disagreements over strategy.

Katz reinforced the chain of command, writing on X, “It is the right and duty of the Chief of Staff to express his position in the appropriate forums. But once decisions are made by the political echelon, the IDF will execute them with determination and professionalism… until the objectives of the war are achieved.”

Netanyahu is expected to convene his security cabinet today to finalise decisions concerning the military offensive’s direction.

 

Humanitarian tragedy continues

Meanwhile, international condemnation has intensified regarding the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.

More than two million Palestinians remain trapped in Gaza, where the United Nations warns of widespread famine and insufficient access to aid.

A tragic incident further underscored the deepening humanitarian emergency in Gaza on Wednesday, when an aid truck overturned onto a crowd of civilians waiting for food in the Nuseirat area, killing at least 22 people.

Civil defence spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP: “The truck overturned while hundreds of civilians were waiting for food aid in the Nuseirat area” and added, “The truck had been forced by the Israeli army to take dangerous roads,” which had been damaged by bombing.

The Hamas-run government in Gaza accused Israel of “deliberately obstructing the safe passage and distribution of the aid.”

In response to inquiries, a military official denied Israeli involvement in the incident.

Israel eased its blockade marginally at the end of May, but aid access remains critically limited.

According to the United Nations, the quantity of humanitarian supplies reaching Gaza via land and airdrops is far below what’s needed.

Statistics shared by Gaza’s Health Ministry revealed that 138 bodies were brought to hospitals over the last 24 hours, including 25 from the truck accident.

Jordan also reported a second recent attack on a humanitarian convoy by Israeli settlers.

Government spokesperson Mohammad al-Momani condemned the incident, stating: “This requires a serious Israeli intervention and no leniency in dealing with those who obstruct these convoys.”

He said the aid convoy, involving 30 trucks, was delayed in violation of signed agreements.