Israeli Army Preparing to Occupy Gaza City with a Quarter Million Soldiers
The Israeli army is drawing up a plan to occupy Gaza City, in the heart of the besieged and densely populated enclave, with 250,000 troops.
The Israeli Security Cabinet (“kabinett”) has decided to seize the city after encircling it.
The army has already claimed control over 75% of the Gaza Strip. The remaining area — including Gaza City, the central refugee camps, and the Al-Mawasi area in the south — remains outside Israeli control.
Global attention is now focused on Gaza City, whose takeover has been ordered by the “kabinett,” amid widespread international criticism.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported: “The Israeli army is expected to present its operational plan to the political leadership within two weeks. This is a large-scale military operation focused on Gaza City and the central camps.”
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It added: “The plan is being drafted in line with cabinet directives but must address two main challenges: safeguarding the hostages in Gaza and minimizing potential damage to Israel’s international standing.”
According to the channel, the defense establishment’s assessment is that international legitimacy for a wide-scale operation has eroded in recent weeks, with U.S. backing as the main exception.
A senior Israeli official told the channel: “We must act smartly and without hesitation, so as not to lose the United States as well,” stressing that American support is a critical factor in strategic decisions preceding the operation.
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Under the plan, the first stage would involve mobilizing up to 250,000 reservists, enabling the Israeli army to concentrate its forces on an unprecedented scale for a prolonged operation in the city.
At the same time, Gaza City would be fully encircled to cut off access and supply routes, isolate it from its surroundings, and weaken Hamas forces from within.
On the humanitarian side, protected areas for civilians would be established along with 12 central food distribution points under Israeli supervision.
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The army intends to evacuate Gaza City residents to the south. According to the channel, “in the next phase, an organized and coordinated evacuation of civilians will begin, to minimize harm to non-combatants.”
Afterward, the army would move to seize control of the city itself, clearing resistance pockets, and could expand the operation to include the central camp areas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set October as the target date to complete preparations, allowing time for political maneuvers or progress in hostage deal negotiations — which, according to assessments, are advancing behind the scenes — while keeping the military threat as a real option.
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At a press conference last night, Netanyahu stated: “After the Israeli army, in Operation Chariots of Gideon, took control of about 75% of the Gaza Strip, the army was instructed to move to the decisive stage: seizing the last strongholds still in Hamas hands, chiefly Gaza City.
The center of gravity is Gaza City: it is where the headquarters, commanders, and infrastructure are located, and from where Hamas exerts control.
I aim to end the war as soon as possible. Therefore, I have instructed the army to shorten the timetable for taking Gaza City.”
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Coordination with Trump
The Prime Minister’s Office announced this morning that Netanyahu spoke by phone last night with U.S. President Donald Trump, discussing Israeli plans to seize the last Hamas strongholds in the Gaza Strip in order to end the war, secure the release of the hostages, and defeat the movement.
The office said Netanyahu gave U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff the green light to begin negotiations on a comprehensive deal that would see all hostages released in exchange for a ceasefire.
Israel’s public broadcaster reported that Witkoff is expected to travel to Qatar and Egypt in the coming days for talks with mediators.
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In response, the “Hostages’ Families Forum” voiced sharp criticism: “Netanyahu, understand! There is no such thing as giving the Americans a green light to lead the negotiations.
These are Israeli citizens. It is the state that must lead, demand, and pressure the mediators to end the war and bring all hostages home. Responsibility for their lives rests solely with the Israeli government, not any other country.
Netanyahu has shown himself to be completely detached from reality. Has the Israeli Prime Minister forgotten what the U.S. President knows? There are 50 hostages in Gaza, men and women, and Netanyahu must bring them all back — alive or dead — in a comprehensive deal, now.”
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