Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly been weighing a full-scale occupation of the Gaza Strip in meetings with cabinet officials, multiple outlets reported Monday.
Netanyahu has reportedly been using the phrase “occupation of the Strip” when privately discussing his future plans for Gaza, and one senior official close to the prime minister reportedly said he is firmly set on full occupation, according to The Times of Israel and the Jerusalem Post. However, there is a reported divide among the cabinet members on whether or not to continue with hostage negotiations, with Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly remaining undecided, according to the Times of Israel.
The Prime Minister’s office said earlier Monday that the cabinet is set to convene this week to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip, according to Reuters.
The senior official close to Netanyahu reportedly said operations will be conducted in areas where hostages are currently being held, while also encouraging Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief Eyal Zamir to resign if he disagrees, according to The Times of Israel.
The IDF has opposed full-scale occupation, contending that it would potentially take years to completely root out Hamas, according to The Times of Israel. Israelis occupied the Gaza Strip from 1967 until 2005, when it withdrew its 21 settlements before Hamas gained control of the territory shortly thereafter.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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