Israel plans Gaza City takeover as first phase against Hamas

The Israeli security cabinet has approved a plan to take full control of Gaza City as part of a broader offensive aimed at wrapping up Hamas’ rule in the Gaza Strip. The move, which would encircle and bombard the city while pushing civilians toward southern areas, comes amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in the two-year war: 123 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours in Gaza, and hunger-related deaths in the conflict’s Gaza area continue to mount, with aid access severely constrained.

The plan sets out to seize Gaza City as the initial phase of a wider operation to restructure governance and security in the territory. Officials described a framework that envisions an encirclement and siege of the city, with the displacement of large numbers of residents and the establishment of a controlled zone for humanitarian relief, while a broader campaign would follow in other parts of Gaza. A formal outline presented by the defense leadership to the security cabinet emphasizes the five guiding goals: disarming Hamas, securing the release of hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, imposing overriding security control, and creating a civilian administration independent of...