Gaza: Netanyahu's Plan to Capture the City – What We Know

The Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to capture the city of Gaza by the IDF, leading to reactions and concerns.

The decision was made amidst mass protests in Israel, due to fears for the lives of hostages and increasing international pressure regarding the humanitarian crisis.

The plan aims to "defeat Hamas" and provide humanitarian aid outside the combat zones. It includes Israeli security control of Gaza and the establishment of a political administration that will be neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated his intention for full control of Gaza. A phased plan, under consideration, would require up to five months and would force about one million Palestinians to move to evacuation areas in southern Gaza.

According to Barak Ravid, the army aims to evacuate Palestinian civilians from the city of Gaza, followed by a siege and ground attack.

The operation will involve more than one phase, with the first phase due by October 7th, the second anniversary of the Hamas attack.

The Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, Eyal Zamir, expressed concerns about the humanitarian crisis and international implications, but his warnings were ignored.