Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 2217 EAT on Thursday 7 August 2025

Recent polls indicate that a large majority of the Israeli public supports a deal with Hamas that would secure the release of hostages and bring an end to the war in Gaza. However, Israeli leaders argue that Hamas is currently unwilling to negotiate, emboldened—according to them—by mounting international pressure on Israel over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

The threat of a full military occupation of Gaza is seen by some as a tactic to pressure Hamas into making concessions in the stalled negotiations.

Yet, within Israel, many believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the conflict to ensure the survival of his governing coalition, which depends on the backing of far-right ministers who have threatened to resign if any agreement is reached with Hamas.

Ultranationalist figures such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have openly advocated for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza and the resettlement of the territory with Israeli Jews—positions that critics warn could constitute forced displacement and amount to war crimes under international law.

It remains unclear whether a full occupation would involve a short-term military campaign or a longer-term presence. However, any expansion of Israel’s operations in Gaza is expected to draw sharp international criticism and risk deepening the country’s diplomatic isolation.

Hamas has sharply condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to take full control of the Gaza Strip, accusing him of planning to continue a policy of “genocide and displacement” against the Palestinian people.

In a statement, the Palestinian armed group said Netanyahu’s actions represent “a clear reversal of the course of negotiations” and expose “the true motives behind his withdrawal from the final round” of indirect talks.

Hamas claimed the parties were “in close proximity” to reaching a final agreement when Israel backed away, and accused the Israeli leader of being willing to “sacrifice” the remaining hostages in Gaza to serve “his personal interests.”

The group warned that any attempt to fully occupy Gaza would come at a “high price,” and urged Arab and Islamic nations—as well as the broader international community—to “condemn and reject these dangerous statements” and take immediate action to “halt the aggression and end the occupation.”

Netanyahu’s remarks come as Israel’s security cabinet meets amid growing domestic and international pressure over the ongoing war in Gaza, and as negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release remain stalled.

Last week, the United Kingdom and Canada joined France in announcing conditional plans to recognise a Palestinian state—signalling a shift in international attitudes amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with key ministers and military leaders in the coming days to decide on the next phase of Israel’s military campaign. According to Israeli Army Radio, the discussions will include initial plans to surround central refugee camps in Gaza and conduct a series of air strikes and ground raids.

Netanyahu has also announced he will convene a full meeting of the security cabinet this week.

Meanwhile, Israeli media commentators have expressed growing scepticism over the viability and motivation behind Netanyahu’s strategy. Writing in Yedioth Ahronoth, veteran columnist Nahum Barnea remarked: “Netanyahu has never taken a gamble on this scale before.” He noted the prime minister’s repeated pledges to achieve all of Israel’s war aims, but added: “After 22 months of bloody fighting, it is hard to take those kinds of promises seriously. It seems that Netanyahu has just one objective in the war in Gaza: to prolong the war.”

Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken into Gaza.

Since then, at least 61,020 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza.

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