Overview

• The security cabinet approved early on Friday a ground operation to seize Gaza City as part of wider plans to dismantle Hamas and secure the entire Gaza Strip.
• The IDF will evacuate civilians from combat zones, distribute humanitarian aid along designated corridors and issue phased evacuation warnings ahead of the offensive.
• Ministers reaffirmed war objectives of freeing the 50 remaining hostages—about 20 believed alive—demilitarizing Gaza and maintaining Israeli security control during transition.
• Netanyahu emphasized that Israel does not plan permanent governance of Gaza, intending to establish a security perimeter and hand administration to non-hostile Arab forces.
• Defense chief Eyal Zamir and hostages’ families warned that the expanded operation could risk lives and strain the military, and international bodies expressed growing alarm.