Netanyahu Announces Plan to Defeat Hamas, Move Gaza's Population

What Happened?

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced a new plan in Gaza that will set in motion an intensive military operation aimed at defeating Hamas.

Netanyahu took to social media Monday and said Gaza's population will be moved in a plan he described as to 'conquer.'

'Population will be moved, for its own protection,' Netanyahu said in a video posted on X.

He added that Israeli forces would not launch raids inside the enclave and then retreat.

'The intention is the opposite of that,' he stated.

Israel's Security Cabinet unanimously approved the expanded military operation Sunday that aims to seize all of the Gaza Strip.

The vote reportedly came hours after military officials said it would mobilize tens of thousands to operate in the Palestinian territory.

Netanyahu stated that the security cabinet's decision came on the recommendation of Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir.

Israel officials issued a statement Monday that said the humanitarian blockade across the strip will continue, according to NBC News.

'Only later — after the operational phase begins and a large-scale civilian evacuation to the south is completed — will a humanitarian plan be implemented,' the statement read.

The United Nations reportedly rejected an Israeli proposal for aid distribution Sunday after describing it as 'Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli military.'

Why it Matters

Last month, Israel announced plans to 'seize large areas' in the Gaza Strip amid an increase in aerial and ground operations that followed its ceasefire collapse with Hamas.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said, 'Troops will move to clear areas of terrorists and infrastructure, and seize extensive territory that will be added to the state of Israel’s security areas.'

Katz reportedly urged Gazans to eliminate the Palestinian militant group and return Israeli hostages as the only way to end the war.

The move came after a series of deadly airstrikes last month killed many residents in Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza.

Israeli forces issued sweeping evacuation orders for the people residing in that zone.

IDF has been accused of repeatedly carrying out attacks in the zone, despite being designated as a humanitarian zone.

Netanyahu continues to point the finger at Hamas for allegedly disappearing during the emergence of a potential ceasefire.

How it Affects You

Since the hostilities resumed in Gaza, at least 124,000 people have reportedly been displaced.

Officials are trying to prevent the permanent displacement of 2.1 million Gazans, but increased military efforts will make that task more than challenging.

Most of the infrastructure in northern Gaza has been reduced to rubble as residents have been moved several times to escape the conflict.

The United Nations agency UNRWA stated that the flow of food, water, medicines, and fuel had significantly been disrupted from entering the Gaza Strip for quite some time.

As hopes of a ceasefire have all but officially been destroyed, Israel's push to seize the besieged territory may face new warnings against ethnic cleansing.