Israeli Cabinet Approves Gaza City Offensive to End Hamas Rule

Israel’s government approved a new military operation to take full control of Gaza City, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating the effort aims to eliminate Hamas presence as the only practical means to secure Israeli citizens.

Official figures from October 2023 confirm that Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of over 250 hostages. Since that attack, Israeli operations have displaced most of Gaza’s residents and destroyed much of its infrastructure.

United Nations and Palestinian Ministry of Health sources report more than 60,000 Palestinian deaths and continuous civilian hardship, with most families lacking stable shelter and basic needs.

Israel currently controls around 75% of the Gaza Strip and now plans to move into areas where nearly a million people remain. Israeli leaders say that only by removing Hamas—and not leaving the job half done—can further attacks on Israelis be prevented.

They insist that this step is not an act of aggression for its own sake but a direct response to the ongoing threat from armed groups operating inside Gaza.

Netanyahu and his cabinet have underlined that Israel does not seek to rule Gaza indefinitely. Instead, their stated goal is to hand administration over to local groups not connected to Hamas or any organization threatening Israel.

This policy divides opinion within Israel. Some military leaders and families of Israeli hostages worry about the risks, while many in government see no other way to stop terrorist attacks.

International organizations and aid agencies warn of intensified hardship for Gaza’s civilians as the operation continues. Israel’s current strategy is based on official statements and ongoing policy.

The goal is to prevent further violence against Israelis by disabling Hamas’s ability to govern or carry out attacks. The operation, according to leaders in office, follows the logic that only removing the armed threat can establish sustainable security for both Israel and the region.

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