Tel Aviv/Jerusalem, August 5, 2025 — Reports emerging from Israeli media outlets indicate that senior officials within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office have announced Israel’s intention to fully occupy Gaza Strip, marking an important development in their 22-month battle against Hamas.
Israeli Officials Declare, ‘The Decision Has Been Made”
Channel 12 and other Hebrew-language sources cite unidentified senior Israeli officials stating firmly: “The Decision Has Been Made… We Will Occupy Gaza Strip”. Their plan involves conducting further military operations–perhaps even where hostages remain captive (AP News/i24NEWS/AL Monitor +15/27/16).
Officials also insist that “If IDF Chief of Staff doesn’t agree, he should resign,” signaling potential discontent at the highest levels of military leadership (ElHuffPost +4 The Times of Israel +4 i24NEWS).
At some point soon, Netanyahu will present the plan to his security cabinet for approval to extend Israel’s offensive into territory still outside their control. For more details see Cadena SER+11 or AL Monitor +11 or The Guardian+11.
Extending Control Over Remaining Gaza The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) currently maintains operational control of about 75% of Gaza; under this strategy, however, their authority would extend over all 25 percent – effectively leading to total occupation of this enclave (Wikipedia +13 and Times of Israel both give similar statistics).
Officials emphasize that their occupation aims to pressure Hamas into releasing all remaining hostages and dismantling its governing capacity, but critics warn it could worsen humanitarian conditions further while disconcerting civilian populations already displaced by conflict (The Times/AP/New York Post etc).
Military Leadership Resistance
The proposed occupation has drawn objections from within the military establishment. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir of Israel Defense Forces is said to be resistant to it; media sources reportedly reported orders that if he does not comply, he must resign his post (Ny Times; Euro News and The Times of Israel, respectively).
Zamir is taking measures to revaluate operational readiness, with regular battalions being scaled back, seen by some as evidence of military leadership deciding that an all-out invasion isn’t viable at this point. According to Ynetnews, regular battalions have been reduced in numbers as part of this recalibration effort and reduced to facilitate recalibration;
Domestic and International Reactions
Right-wing figures such as Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar have stressed that military leaders must impose orders from political leadership without fear or favor from internal division. Cadena SER
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid has voiced concern that leaks of sensitive military intelligence information might limit IDF Chief Gadi Eisenkot’s ability to speak openly about military feasibility.
These developments come amid ongoing leaks to Cadena SER and The Times of Israel that could compromise his ability to discuss matters honestly about military feasibility with his troops, according to Cadena SER and The Times of Israel respectively.
Internationally, this move has alarmed humanitarian organizations and Western governments concerned by Gaza’s worsening conditions – evidence of famine conditions, limited aid access and rising civilian casualties has amplified calls for restraint and renewed ceasefire efforts, according to The Guardian.
Analytical Context While Prime Minister Netanyahu and allied cabinet members justify occupation as necessary to save hostages and counter Hamas, critics warn of long-term governance challenges, casualty risks and strategic isolation (Jerusalem Post +5 Australian +5, and Reuters +5).
Observers note that this military operation represents an escalated approach beyond initial hostage retrieval efforts; moving towards full territorial control in Gaza’s urban centers.
What Lies Ahead
Netanyahu will soon convene a high-level security meeting to formalize Israel’s military plan and coordinate actions in areas previously off limits to Israeli forces–even areas with live hostages–that were previously off-limits to them. Such decisions will test internal political cohesion as well as have humanitarian and diplomatic repercussions, according to AL-Monitor and The Jerusalem Post.
Should this occupation proceed, it will mark the most expansive phase yet of Israel’s campaign against Gaza and herald a prolonged period of hostilities that will impact civilian populations as well as broader regional stability.