Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene a high-level security cabinet meeting to outline next steps in the war against Hamas, including potential measures for a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip. This comes amid growing internal calls within the government to resettle Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip, a policy that has transitioned from political fringes into mainstream discourse since Hamas’s October 7 attack.
The security cabinet’s focus on expansion reflects the current geopolitical climate, influenced by the 20th anniversary of Israel’s full disengagement from Gaza, which occurred in 2005. Calls for resettlement, once confined to fringe political groups, have now received attention from within the government, with key figures like Yitzhak Wasserlauf, Israel’s minister for the Development of the Periphery, the Negev and the Galilee, arguing that the withdrawal led to the establishment of Hamas and subsequent terrorist activities.
Wasserlauf emphasized that the previous decision to disengage from Gaza was a ‘strategic and moral mistake,’ claiming it enabled the rise of Hamas and their subsequent attacks. He proposed that resettling Jewish communities in Gaza would not only correct this perceived injustice but also serve as a deterrent against further threats, aiming to ‘create facts on the ground’ and ensure a clear warning to potential aggressors.
However, the plan has sparked debate, with prominent figures like former national security adviser Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yaakov Amidror opposing it, stating that the primary mission is to dismantle Hamas and that any discussion of resettlement should come after that objective is achieved. Additionally, former head of IDF Military Intelligence, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin, cautioned that while resettlement is being pushed by right-wing elements in the government, it is not part of the current war objectives, which focus on destroying Hamas and rescuing hostages rather than annexation.
Despite these debates, advocates like Daniella Weiss from the Nachala Settlement Movement have already begun organizing groups of families to move to Gaza, highlighting the growing influence of public pressure on governmental actions. Weiss argued that the Gaza area is historically part of the western Negev and that rejecting resettlement is not aligned with democratic values in Israel.
The discussion has also drawn international attention, particularly from the United States, where former Israeli general and national security adviser, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Amir Avivi, suggested that U.S. support, especially from President Donald Trump, could play a role in shaping Israel’s approach to Gaza. Avivi noted that if the U.S. president advocates for massive relocation and taking control of Gaza to implement his own vision, it would suggest some kind of basic understanding between the two sides.
Avivi estimated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) currently controls about 75% of Gaza, with past decisions largely driven by military considerations. However, he said that the remaining 25% of the territory involves broader strategic decisions, shaped by how Israel and the United States view the future of the area, including Jewish settlement.
Amidror, a distinguished fellow with the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, said that Israel must in the long-term remain solely responsible for security in Gaza, citing past failures when control was transferred to the Palestinians after the Oslo Accords. He argued that reestablishing settlements could complicate that mission, asserting that security should remain solely in the hands of the IDF.
Religious Zionism lawmaker Simcha Rothman told Fox News Digital that