August 7th, 2025 - Netanyahu Announces Israel’s Intent to Assume Military Control Over All of Gaza

On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel intends to take full control of Gaza, despite opposition from the Israeli military and concerns over the potential loss of more civilian lives and the safety of hostages held by Hamas. Netanyahu’s comments, made during an interview with Fox News, came ahead of a critical security cabinet meeting to discuss the next steps in military operations. As talks between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and hostage release have reached a standstill, both sides have blamed each other for the impasse.

Netanyahu expressed that Israel’s goal was to “liberate” both the people of Gaza and Israelis from the control of Hamas, saying the move would secure Israel’s safety and enable a transition of governance from Hamas to another party. However, Netanyahu clarified that Israel did not intend to maintain permanent control over Gaza, emphasizing that Israel would hand over the administration to Arab forces. He offered few details on the specifics of the military operation, but some analysts suggest his statements may be a tactic to pressure Hamas during ceasefire negotiations.

In response, Hamas accused Netanyahu of derailing negotiations, describing his remarks as a clear indication of Israel’s intentions and motivations behind withdrawing from talks. Despite the prime minister’s intentions, any formal decision to expand military action could take days or even weeks to be implemented, and the Israeli military has already gained control of about 75 percent of Gaza. The remaining territories in the northern and southern parts, where most of Gaza’s two million residents are located, are still outside Israeli control. Many Palestinians have been forced into overcrowded shelters and makeshift accommodations as the conflict rages on.

Israel’s decision to expand its military operations faces growing international pressure to end the conflict. Various countries, including Israel's longstanding allies, have called for an end to the nearly two-year war, with concerns rising over the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The Israeli military’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has opposed the idea of further expanding the war, citing the exhaustion of troops and the logistical challenge of governing Gaza's population. Instead, military leaders have suggested pursuing a ceasefire to avoid prolonged conflict.

The tensions between Netanyahu and his military leadership represent the most significant clash since the appointment of General Zamir earlier this year. Netanyahu’s push for expanded operations seems to be in conflict with the military’s preference for a ceasefire and a more measured response. The Israeli military believes that complete control of Gaza could take months or even years to establish, with sustained combat required to set up a system of governance akin to that in the West Bank. Netanyahu, however, insists that any decision made by the security cabinet will be carried out by the military.

Israeli opposition members and the families of hostages held in Gaza have strongly warned against escalating the conflict. The opposition leader, Yair Lapid, criticized Netanyahu’s plan, calling it a poor operational, moral, and economic decision. Hostage families, particularly those whose loved ones are being held by Hamas, are concerned that expanding Israeli operations could lead to further deaths or retaliation by Hamas. The families fear that a more intense military presence could inadvertently lead to the execution of hostages or their deaths during military operations.

For Palestinian civilians, the potential escalation of the conflict could lead to even greater destruction and loss of life. Many displaced people are already living in dire conditions, and further military action could exacerbate their suffering. With the growing uncertainty over Israel's intentions, residents of Gaza, like Mukhlis al-Masri, fear that the worst is yet to come. He describes the situation as one where the danger is unimaginable, and the potential for widespread death could be catastrophic. The Israeli military has reiterated that its operations target Hamas militants, but civilians continue to bear the brunt of the fighting.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Adjudicate (verb, uh-JOO-dih-kayt) - To adjudicate a dispute between two parties is to make an official decision about which party is right; to adjudicate a case or claim is to settle it judicially. Adjudicate is also used to mean “to act as judge.”

Example: The case will be adjudicated in the state courts.