Israeli Security Cabinet Reviews Controversial Plans for Gaza City Takeover Amidst Diplomatic Tensions and Domestic Opposition

The Israeli security cabinet is scheduled to meet today to assess strategies for gaining control of Gaza City, as the government grapples with escalating international criticism and unprecedented domestic dissent, even from within its own security circles.

This session serves as a formal briefing for the full security cabinet, following earlier approvals by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz regarding the IDF’s plans. The gathering occurs amidst a critical period both domestically and internationally.

Beyond the proposed military action, discussions will center around a diplomatic response to anticipated recognition for Palestinian statehood at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.

Netanyahu is reportedly considering various measures concerning the West Bank, including full annexation, partial annexation of select settlements, or imposing sanctions on the Palestinian Authority, according to two Israeli sources.

Annexing any portion of the occupied West Bank by asserting Israeli sovereignty would contravene multiple UN Security Council resolutions and incur substantial diplomatic backlash. However, it’s precisely what Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners are urging for.

While deliberations on the West Bank ensue, the Israeli government persists with military operations in Gaza City despite mounting pressure to pursue a peaceful resolution that would end the nearly two-year conflict.

Recent Israeli air strikes around Gaza City have resulted in heavy casualties, with at least 47 deaths reported in Gaza City alone on Saturday, according to figures from local hospitals.

Despite ongoing fighting, Hamas continues to maintain a presence in Gaza, with one of their spokespeople, Abu Obaida, killed in one of the latest Israeli attacks. According to Defense Minister Israel Katz, “Soon, as the campaign in Gaza intensifies, many more of his partners in crime – the murderers and rapists of Hamas – will join him there.”

The attacks also coincide with a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the Palestinian health ministry reporting an additional seven deaths due to malnutrition on Sunday, bringing the total to 339.

The most significant opposition to Israel’s takeover of Gaza City stems from the country’s security establishment, led by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. Zamir has warned Netanyahu and his cabinet that the offensive in Gaza City could endanger hostages, risk soldiers’ lives, and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Two Israeli sources informed CNN that Zamir’s primary focus and concern is the fate of the hostages, and he is expected to advocate for negotiations on the latest ceasefire proposal before escalating the conflict. This position appears to be endorsed by most heads of other security agencies as well.

On August 18, Hamas accepted a 60-day temporary ceasefire proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt, under which ten living hostages would be released in exchange for a mass release of Palestinian prisoners. This offer was based on a similar proposal presented by the US special envoy Steve Witkoff in July, formulated in collaboration with Israel.

However, Netanyahu, working in coordination with the White House, has recently adopted a different strategy. After insisting for months on negotiating only phased and partial frameworks, he now states his willingness to discuss only a comprehensive deal that would secure the release of all hostages and bring an end to the conflict under Israeli terms and conditions.

As a result, Israel has yet to respond to Hamas’s acceptance of the Qatari-Egyptian proposal from August 18. According to two senior Israeli officials, Netanyahu does not plan to raise negotiations during today’s cabinet meeting but may discuss them during the presentation on Gaza City. The fact that the deal isn’t formally on the agenda suggests its relatively low priority for Netanyahu.