Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly favouring a complete military takeover of Gaza, a decision that the United Nations (UN) has called “deeply alarming”.

On Aug. 5, Netanyahu met with senior security officials to finalise a new approach towards the nearly two-year-old war in Gaza, amid mounting global pressure for a ceasefire to put an end to deaths from starvation and worsening humanitarian conditions in the Strip, Reuters reported.

Israeli tanks rolled into central Gaza the same day, though it has yet to be determined whether they are part of the larger attack.

The war, which began on Oct. 7 2023 with a Hamas-led attack on Israel, has killed over 60,000 people in the Gaza Strip, and left close to 200 dead from malnutrition, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

“Occupation of the Strip”

According to reports in Hebrew media, a series of ministers have said that in private conversations, Netanyahu described his goal for Israel’s military in Gaza as an “occupation of the Strip”, The Times of Israel reported.

This would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw Israeli citizens and troops from Gaza while retaining power over its border, airspace and utilities, which Israel’s right-wing parties have blamed for Hama’s rise to power since the 2006 election.

As observed by Reuters, it remains unclear whether Netanyahu had been referring to a long-term occupation, or simply a brief operation to uproot Hamas and free Israeli hostages.

His office declined to comment when asked by the news agency about one of the reports.

Tensions with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

Currently, the IDF controls about 75 per cent of Gaza, but would have to expand its occupation to the remaining territory if Netanyahu’s new plan takes shape.

It has said it was against a total takeover, citing a possible endangerment to the lives of hostages captured by Hamas, and that it could take years to clear all Hamas infrastructure.

Amid the push for Gaza’s full occupation, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has reduced ground forces, a move interpreted as a pointed response to Netanyahu’s decision for full occupation and threats against Zamir’s role as the top military commander.

Ynet news site quoted senior officials close to the Prime Minister as saying,"The die is cast, we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip…There will be activity also in areas where hostages are being held."

"If this doesn't suit the IDF Chief of Staff, he can resign."

Public fury over hostage video

This comes just days after militant groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the name of the second-largest armed group in Gaza, released propaganda videos showing two Israeli hostages in fragile states and poor living conditions.

Following much public fury over the videos, Netanyahu’s office has requested from the International Red Cross “immediate provision of food and medical care for the hostages”, CNN reported.

However, his office continues to deny that there is widespread starvation in the enclave.

Israeli officials estimate that 20 of the remaining 50 people taken hostage in 2023 are still alive, as international pressure for Hamas to release them continues to grow.

UN calls Netanyahu’s decision “deeply alarming”

Meanwhile, indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are left at a standstill, after the latter reiterated that it would not disarm unless a sovereign Palestinian state could be established.

A Palestinian official said that Netanyahu’s strategy of a full Israeli military takeover may be a tactic to pressure Hamas into concessions, according to Reuters.

However, some military leaders have warned against it, highlighting that the nearly two-year-long war has strained the IDF, which has a limited standing army and often calls up its reservists.

The UN has described reports about Netanyahu’s decision as “deeply alarming” if true.

During a meeting on the state of Gaza, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca said that the move"would risk catastrophic consequences... and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.”

"International law is clear in the regard; Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state.”