Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly decided to order the Israeli military to take full control of the Gaza Strip, including areas where Israeli captives are believed to be held. The decision follows the conclusion of Israel’s recent military campaign, "Gideon’s Chariot," which ended without achieving its goal of complete territorial control.
According to Israeli and U.S. media reports, Netanyahu made the decision on Monday and is expected to convene his security cabinet on Tuesday to formally issue the order. The Israeli military currently claims control over roughly 75% of Gaza.
Netanyahu's push for total occupation has sparked both internal and external controversy. Senior Israeli defense officials, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, are reportedly opposed to the indefinite occupation of Gaza. Media sources indicate that Netanyahu's office has pressured Zamir to resign if he does not support the plan.
A significant aspect of the decision is the alleged backing from U.S. President Donald Trump. While there has been no official public statement from Trump or administration officials, the former president stated in March that he had given Israel a "green light" to resume military operations, breaking a ceasefire that had been in place since January. Trump recently emphasized that Israel must “finish the job,” following the collapse of peace negotiations in Doha, Qatar, which were jointly facilitated by the U.S. and Israel.
The revived military effort is expected to reignite international criticism amid Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis. In the United States, political backlash is growing, including from within the Republican Party. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene recently became the first Republican lawmaker to describe Israel's campaign in Gaza as a “genocide.” Recent polling also indicates that only about half of Republican voters under the age of 50 have a favorable view of Israel, raising concerns that Trump’s unwavering support for Netanyahu could carry political risks.
The next steps are expected to unfold following Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, where Netanyahu is anticipated to formalize his directive to fully occupy Gaza—despite warnings from military officials and mounting international scrutiny.