Tehran – Strong opposition has emerged within the Israeli regime against the Cabinet’s decision to invade and occupy Gaza city.
Despite warnings from senior Israeli military officials and politicians, the administration’s security ministers on Thursday, August 7 approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza city.
The Cabinet meeting was characterized by a fierce exchange between Eir Zamir and the Minister of Security Itamar Ben Gwil. Zamir warned of the complex nature of the program, its consequences, and the high degree of risks to the lives of Israeli prisoners of war.
According to the Hebrew media, Ben Gwil fought sharply back by saying, “Stop talking to the media and learn from the police how to follow political instructions.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich repeatedly took this stance, advocating the need for a “complete victory” and rejected “temporary deals.”
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Eia Rapid denounced the Cabinet’s decision, calling it “a disaster that leads to more disasters.”
He argued against the military’s position that “Ben Gwil and Smotrich could drag Netanyahu into a long-term operation, leading to the deaths of hostages and many soldiers.”
Rapid also warned that the move would cost Israeli taxpayers hundreds of billions of shekels, leading to a diplomatic collapse.
Israel’s political security cabinet voted in favor of Netanyahu’s proposal. This led to the Israeli occupation forces (IOFs) “to take control” of Gaza city in the northern part of the strip.
The plan is based on five promises.
• Hamas disarming
•Returning all prisoners
• Demilitarizing the Gaza Strip
Israeli security management in the Gaza Strip
• Establishment of alternative citizen management that is neither Hamas nor Palestinian authority;
According to the administration’s Channel 12, Israeli officials said, “The goal is to evacuate all residents of Gaza City to camps in the central and southern strip.
Officials added that the planned operations would include full military siege and full control over the IOF cities.
These steps are part of the administration’s broader strategy to achieve what is called “Hamas’ defeat.” Northern Gaza has faced similar invasions and blockades for the past 22 months to eliminate Palestinian resistance, but has ultimately failed.
Netanyahu’s office has issued a statement outlined the plan, but have you left many questions unanswered? The timelines and number of IOF troops involved in reports that regime soldiers are “exhausted.”
Israeli newspaper Haaretz noted that the statement was avoided using the term “profession.” Instead, I used the more vague term “control.”
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian residents who were forced to relocate during the Genocide are believed to live in makeshift camps in Gaza city. They returned north following a six-week ceasefire that broke the Israeli regime on March 18, 2025.
A group representing the remaining Israeli prisoners of war in Gaza accused the Israeli government of ruling “living hostages and fallen hostages are lost.”
In a statement, “The Cabinet’s decision to commence the process of occupying the (Gaza) strip is an official declaration of hostage waiver, completely ignoring repeated warnings by military Echelons of the Israeli masses.”
The Hebrew newspaper Maarib said that organizations like Hamas “don’t surrender. There is no such thing. It is not on their agenda. Hamas will never surrender.”
“You can’t beat movements on the popular bass with button presses,” he added.
Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth also said, “The decision by the political security cabinet in favour of occupying Gaza was frustrated by the opposition despite opposition from Eyal Zamir’s Chief of Staff.
Hamas explained the Israeli regime’s plan to occupy Gaza city as a “new war crime” and warned that the operation would cost “heart-worthy” money.
“The approval of the Zionist Cabinet’s plan to occupy Gaza city and evacuate its residents constitutes a new war crime that the occupying forces are trying to commit against the city. Criminal adventures cherish it and warn the criminal profession that it won’t be an easy journey.”
Hamas also warned that the occupation would “sacrifice” hostages still being detained on Palestinian territory.
The group said Netanyahu and his government “have confirmed their decision to occupy Gaza” that they “do not care about the fate of the prisoners.”