Overview

• Israel’s Security Cabinet voted early Friday to begin a phased occupation of Gaza City as part of its 22-month offensive against Hamas.
• The approved plan lays out five objectives: disarm Hamas, free about 50 remaining hostages, demilitarize Gaza, maintain Israeli security control and establish a civil administration separate from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the move does not constitute annexation but serves to secure a perimeter before handing over governance to an Arab-led transitional government.
• Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior military leaders have publicly voiced opposition, warning that a full occupation could endanger the hostages and overextend Israel’s Defense Forces.
• The United Nations has cautioned that a large-scale operation in Gaza City risks inflicting "catastrophic consequences" on civilians already facing displacement, famine and infrastructure collapse.