Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan that would see ground forces deployed into the remaining 25% of Gaza not yet under Israeli control, raising the prospect of an open-ended military occupation of the besieged Palestinian territory.
The operation would require the forced evacuation of around one million Palestinians from Gaza City and surrounding areas to designated zones in the southern Gaza Strip. According to sources familiar with the plan, the evacuation is expected to be completed by October 7.
Despite the cabinet’s endorsement, senior Israeli military officials have expressed serious concerns about the long-term consequences. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has reportedly cautioned that a full occupation of Gaza could draw Israel into a “black hole” of prolonged insurgency, humanitarian obligations, and increased danger to hostages still held in the enclave.
Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, warning that further escalation would lead to “more massive forced displacement, more killing, more unbearable suffering, senseless destruction, and atrocity crimes.”
