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Tel Aviv, Israel – Israel has developed a new military strategy to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip, marking a potential return of Israeli forces to full control over the enclave for the first time since 2005, according to a Financial Times report on Monday.
The report, citing Israeli officials, claims that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been preparing to implement the plan, which would involve a large-scale military operation to eliminate Hamas and re-establish direct governance over Gaza.
IDF Preparing for Full Military Operation
The proposed operation would reportedly see the IDF calling up several combat divisions to enter Gaza, pushing deep into the territory in an effort to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure.
If executed, this would be the most significant Israeli military maneuver in Gaza since the withdrawal nearly two decades ago. However, the report emphasized that the plan has not yet received approval from Israel’s security cabinet.
It was allegedly formulated by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir with support from Israel’s far-right political factions, which have long advocated for a full military reoccupation of Gaza.
Two Israeli officials quoted in the report stated that the plan was partly made possible due to the anticipated return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House.
The officials suggested that a Trump presidency could provide Israel with greater political backing for such an operation, although no official statements have been made regarding U.S. policy on the matter.
Control Over Humanitarian Aid Distribution
Beyond the military offensive, the report claims that Israel would assume direct control over humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza.
An individual familiar with the matter suggested that Israeli authorities had recently conducted an assessment to determine the minimum caloric intake necessary for Gazan residents, implying a structured approach to aid rationing under potential Israeli governance.
While Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed the details of this report, such a move would significantly reshape the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Any large-scale military operation and reoccupation would likely face strong international scrutiny, with concerns about humanitarian conditions and geopolitical ramifications.
Hamas and International Response
Hamas has not officially responded to the Financial Times report, but the militant group has consistently warned against Israeli reoccupation efforts, vowing to resist any extended military presence in the enclave.
In previous conflicts, Hamas has demonstrated resilience through extensive tunnel networks and asymmetric warfare tactics.
Meanwhile, international actors, including the United Nations and key regional players, are expected to closely monitor any developments related to Israel’s military strategy.
A full reoccupation could further strain Israel’s relationships with neighboring countries, particularly Egypt, which has historically played a mediating role in ceasefires and humanitarian coordination.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Israel’s security cabinet, which holds the final authority to approve or reject the reported military plan.
If implemented, it would mark a dramatic shift in Israel’s approach to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with profound implications for the region’s stability.