Gaza takeover: Israel's security cabinet approves Netanyahu plan to occupy Gaza City

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2 months ago8 Aug 2:00pm

Israeli cabinet approves plan to occupy Gaza City — read full article

Following a long overnight cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet has approved a plan to occupy Gaza.

It comes amid increasing international condemnation of Israel's bombardment of Gaza since 7 October 2023, with aid groups warning the enclave's residents are on the verge of famine.

Read the full article for more context on the lead-up to the announcement.

'Dangerous escalation': Global calls for Israel to scrap Gaza City takeover plan

— Madeleine Wedesweiler.

2 months ago8 Aug 7:17pm

That's it for today

A quick recap of some of today's events:

— Israel's security cabinet approved a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take control of Gaza City, the Palestinian enclave's largest and capital city.

— It came after Netanyahu said Israel "intends to" completely take over Gaza, despite intensifying criticism, both internationally and within Israel, over its military campaign.

— Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia urged Israel "not to go down this path", and that it would only "worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza".

— Greens senator David Shoebridge said Israel was carrying out a "systematic erasure of Palestinians through forced displacement and occupation".

— Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash said Israel should comply with international law, but that the "operational tactics and how this war is conducted on the ground to bring it to an end is ultimately a matter for the Israeli government".

— The United Kingdom, Türkiye, China, and the United Nations have all expressed criticism and concern over Israel's plan.

Thanks for joining our coverage of Israel's decision to take over Gaza City and the reactions to it.

— Alex Gallagher

2 months ago8 Aug 7:09pm

China urges Israel to 'immediately cease' plans for Gaza City takeover

China has also joined the list of countries to rebuke Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City, Agence France-Presse reports.

A foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP in a message that it urges Israel to "immediately cease its dangerous actions".

"Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people and is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory," the spokesperson said. "The correct way to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to secure the release of hostages is an immediate ceasefire."

2 months ago8 Aug 6:10pm

Türkiye says Israel's plan a 'heavy blow' to peace and security

Türkiye has also criticised Israel's plan to take control of Gaza City, calling it a "heavy blow" to peace and security.

In a statement, the Turkish foreign ministry called on the international community to "fulfil its responsibilities to prevent the implementation of the decision", saying it aimed to forcibly displace Palestinians from their own land.

2 months ago8 Aug 6:09pm

United Nations chief says Israel's plan must be 'immediately halted'

United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk has condemned the Israeli government's "plan for a complete military takeover of the occupied Gaza Strip", saying it must be halted immediately.

Türk said in a statement that a military takeover was "contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice that Israel must bring its occupation to an end as soon as possible, to the realisation of the agreed two-state solution and to the right of Palestinians to self-determination".

A man speaking into a microphone, with a blue background behind him.

Volker Türk said the Israeli government's plans were contrary to a ruling by the International Court of Justice. Source: AAP / EPA/Kimmo Brandt

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement earlier today that Israel's security cabinet had agreed to a takeover of Gaza City, the Palestinian enclave's largest city, by Israeli forces.

It came after Netanyahu told reporters Israel intended to take over the Gaza Strip entirely

"We don't want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter. We don't want to govern it. We don't want to be there as a governing body," Netanyahu said. He said Israel wanted to hand over the territory to Arab forces that would govern it.

— Alex Gallagher

2 months ago8 Aug 5:19pm

UK Prime Minister says Israel's decision is 'wrong', urges it to reconsider

International reactions to Israel's announcement are starting to come through.

Reuters is reporting that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the Israeli government's decision to "further escalate its offensive in Gaza" was "wrong" and that the UK urged it to immediately reconsider the plan.

"This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed," Starmer said in a statement.

— Alex Gallagher.

2 months ago8 Aug 4:06pm

Israeli opposition leader calls Gaza takeover decision 'a disaster'

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has spoken out against Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to occupy Gaza City.

"The cabinet's decision tonight is a disaster that will lead to many more disasters. In complete contradiction to the opinion of the military and security ranks, without considering the erosion and exhaustion of the fighting forces, Ben Gvir and [Bezalel] Smotrich dragged Netanyahu into a move that will take months, lead to the death of the hostages, the killing of many soldiers, cost tens of billions to the Israeli taxpayer, and lead to a political collapse," Lapid said in a post on X.

"This is exactly what Hamas wanted: for Israel to be trapped in the field without a goal, without defining the picture of the day after, in a useless occupation that no-one understands where it is leading."

— Julia Abbondanza

2 months ago8 Aug 3:25pm

Hundreds of protesters in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied across Israel as Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet met overnight, calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the immediate release of the remaining hostages.

As the meeting began, hundreds of protesters in Jerusalem — including former hostages — rallied outside Netanyahu's office. They called for the Israeli government to strike a deal to secure the hostages' release.

Some demonstrators in Tel Aviv clashed with police, CNN reported.

A group of protesters, some holding up signs, standing around a small fire.

Demonstrators in Tel Aviv during a protest demanding their release and an end to the war in Gaza. Source: AAP / AP/Ariel Schalit

— Julia Abbondanza

2 months ago8 Aug 2:54pm

Where will Gazan civilians go?

A key question from Netanyahu's move is what will happen to those living in Gaza City — and whether they will be forcibly removed.

The Israeli military currently controls about 75 per cent of the Gaza Strip. A full military occupation would mean thousands more Israeli troops would be sent to take over areas like Gaza City, in the north of the Strip, where an estimated one million people now live due to displacement.

Plans for what will happen to citizens are vague. People are unsure whether they can stay in Gaza City — or if it will even be safe to do so amid the conflict with Hamas.

Others have queried whether Gaza City will be put under siege to fight Hamas. This could mean citizens would be moved out of Gaza City into humanitarian camps in Gaza's south.

But any forced displacement would be considered a violation of international law.

Residents say they have nowhere else to go.

"There's no space in Gaza. People are exhausted, they simply do not have the energy or the space to move," Shaina Low from the Norwegian Refugee Council told BBC News.

"People do not have supplies where they are told to go. They are not given time or adequate safe passage to reach where they need to go."

— Alexandra Koster

2 months ago8 Aug 2:41pm

Michaelia Cash says operational tactics 'a matter for Israeli government'

The federal Coalition says the "operational tactics and how this war is conducted on the ground to bring it to an end is ultimately a matter for the Israeli government".

Speaking with Sky News, Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Michaelia Cash said Israel should comply with international law, while accusing Hamas of not properly participating in peace negotiations since October 7 2023.

"We all want the war to end. We all want the killing of civilians to stop. We all want the hostages to be released. But that could actually happen tomorrow," Cash said.

"I think what disturbs me more than anything is that so many now, but in particular, [Foreign Minister] Penny Wong, number one as the offender, they skip over this important detail, this war could end tomorrow if Hamas released the hostages and laid down their arms."

— Rania Yallop

2 months ago8 Aug 2:24pm

Where is Gaza City located? See it on a map

Gaza City is located in the central north of the Gaza Strip, and is both the capital and the largest city in the enclave.

It's below the north Gaza region, but above Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah in the south.

It was Gaza's largest population centre before Israel started its military campaign, but many Palestinians have been displaced under forced evacuation orders by the Israeli military.

Gaza City is in the central north of the enclave. Source: SBS

— Alex Gallagher

2 months ago8 Aug 2:23pm

'Systematic erasure of Palestinians': Greens senator speaks out

Greens senator and foreign affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge has spoken out in response to Israel's plan to occupy Gaza, and urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to recognise a Palestinian state.

"What we're witnessing in Gaza goes beyond military strategy, it's the systematic erasure of Palestinians through forced displacement and occupation," Shoebridge said in a statement.

"This is entering the final stages of a genocide.

"It’s not good enough for the Albanese government to still be debating how strong our language should be.

"Recognition of the Palestinian State is being used by the Albanese Government not as a fundamental right all people have to self-determination, but as a distraction from the fact that they have taken next to no material action against the State of Israel. Increasingly harsh statements will not feed people, it will not stop the Israeli war machine. Sanctions will."

— Julia Abbondanza

2 months ago8 Aug 2:10pm

Palestinian advocate says Israel is 'permanently erasing Gaza'

The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) has positioned any Israeli occupation as a declaration of colonisation and ethnic cleansing.

APAN president Nasser Mashni said Australia must act beyond "flimsy acts of diplomacy" to prevent it.

"There can surely be no remaining pretence that Israel is doing anything other than permanently erasing Gaza in order to occupy and annex it," he said in a statement.

"Gaza has already been occupied, besieged and bombed by Israel for decades.

"What is happening now is the final stage of ethnic cleansing, and the world is enabling it."

— Australian Associated Press

2 months ago8 Aug 2:05pm

Prominent Australian Jewish community leader backs Israeli plans to take over Gaza

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin "welcomed" Netanyahu's intention to take control of Gaza, saying it would mean the defeat of Hamas.

"I think that the worst thing that could happen is any form of civilian return to Gaza," Ryvchin told ABC radio this morning, prior to the announcement Netanyahu's cabinet had approved the takeover of Gaza City.

"When you have a situation where Hamas refuses to lay down its arms, refuses to release the hostages, refuses the ceasefire that's been on the table since the end of May, it leaves no choice but to complete the job militarily.

"And that's clearly what the [Israeli] prime minister is planning to do."

He also said the recognition of a Palestinian state was "punitive towards Israel" but said "all signs" pointed towards Australia's official recognition of statehood.

"'I've seen no compelling arguments why recognising a Palestinian state — that doesn't exist, in fact — will actually end this conflict rather than exacerbate it," Ryvchin said.

"What we want to see ... is an end to the conflict, an end to sporadic wars in Gaza, flare-ups of violence in the West Bank. We want to see an end to situations where Israelis, generation upon generation, have to fight and booby-trap the alleys and tunnels in South Lebanon and Gaza, or have to live in bomb shelters. That's no way to live.

"What the Palestinians have had to endure over the last couple of years and beyond isn't reasonable either."

— Alexandra Koster

2 months ago8 Aug 1:56pm

What we know about Netanyahu's cabinet meeting

The Israeli prime minister's office announcement comes after Benjamin Netanyahu met with a small group of senior ministers in his security cabinet.

The meeting went for over eight hours, as officials debated Israel's next step in Gaza, and came shortly after Netanyahu said Israel "intended" to take over the Palestinian enclave completely.

Reuters has reported that Israeli officials suggested a previous meeting with Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir was tense, with Zamir pushing back on expanding Israel's military campaign.

— Julia Abbondanza

2 months ago8 Aug 1:48pm

Penny Wong urges Israel not to 'go down path' of Gaza takeover

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has released a statement urging Israel against a takeover of Gaza.

"Australia calls on Israel to not go down this path, which will only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," she said.

"A two-state solution is the only pathway to secure an enduring peace — a Palestinian state and the State of Israel, living side-by-side in peace and security within internationally-recognised borders."

Wong said that permanent forced displacement was a violation of international law, and that Australia calls for a ceasefire, the return of hostages held in Gaza, and the unimpeded flow of aid.

After the Israeli PM's office's announcement, Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing an Israeli official, said on X that Israel planned to move Palestinian civilians from Gaza City and launch a ground offensive there.

— Alex Gallagher

2 months ago8 Aug 1:20pm

Israel's security cabinet adopts five principles for 'ending the war', rejects alternative proposal

In another post on X, the Israeli prime minister's office said the cabinet had adopted, by majority vote, five "principles for ending the war in Gaza". These were:

1. Disarming Hamas of its weapons.
2. Return of all hostages — both the living and the deceased.
3. Demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip.
4. Israeli security control over the Gaza Strip.
5. Establishment of an alternative civilian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.

A third and final post said the "vast majority of cabinet ministers believed that the alternative plan presented in the cabinet would not achieve the defeat of Hamas nor the return of the hostages", without elaborating.

— Alex Gallagher

2 months ago8 Aug 1:13pm

Israeli security cabinet has approved plan to take over Gaza City

Israel's security cabinet has approved a proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "for the defeat of Hamas", according to the Israeli prime minister's office.

"The IDF will prepare to take control of Gaza City while providing humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zones," a post by the office on social media platform X, translated from Hebrew, reads.

It comes after Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of all of Gaza, despite intensifying criticism — both internationally and within Israel — over Israel's military campaign in the Palestinian enclave.

— Alex Gallagher

Australia, United Nations and others criticise Israeli plan for Gaza City takeover — as it happened

The Israeli prime minister's office said the security cabinet has approved a proposal by Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israel's military will "prepare to take control of Gaza City".

Israeli cabinet approves plan to occupy Gaza City — read full article

READ MORE

That's it for today

China urges Israel to 'immediately cease' plans for Gaza City takeover

Türkiye says Israel's plan a 'heavy blow' to peace and security

United Nations chief says Israel's plan must be 'immediately halted'

UK Prime Minister says Israel's decision is 'wrong', urges it to reconsider

Israeli opposition leader calls Gaza takeover decision 'a disaster'

Hundreds of protesters in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv

Where will Gazan civilians go?

Michaelia Cash says operational tactics 'a matter for Israeli government'

Where is Gaza City located? See it on a map

'Systematic erasure of Palestinians': Greens senator speaks out

Palestinian advocate says Israel is 'permanently erasing Gaza'

Prominent Australian Jewish community leader backs Israeli plans to take over Gaza

What we know about Netanyahu's cabinet meeting

Penny Wong urges Israel not to 'go down path' of Gaza takeover

Israel's security cabinet adopts five principles for 'ending the war', rejects alternative proposal

Israeli security cabinet has approved plan to take over Gaza City

previous

1of1

next

Australia, United Nations and others criticise Israeli plan for Gaza City takeover — as it happened

The Israeli prime minister's office said the security cabinet has approved a proposal by Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israel's military will "prepare to take control of Gaza City".

Israeli cabinet approves plan to occupy Gaza City — read full article

READ MORE

That's it for today

China urges Israel to 'immediately cease' plans for Gaza City takeover

Türkiye says Israel's plan a 'heavy blow' to peace and security

United Nations chief says Israel's plan must be 'immediately halted'

UK Prime Minister says Israel's decision is 'wrong', urges it to reconsider

Israeli opposition leader calls Gaza takeover decision 'a disaster'

Hundreds of protesters in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv

Where will Gazan civilians go?

Michaelia Cash says operational tactics 'a matter for Israeli government'

Where is Gaza City located? See it on a map

'Systematic erasure of Palestinians': Greens senator speaks out

Palestinian advocate says Israel is 'permanently erasing Gaza'

Prominent Australian Jewish community leader backs Israeli plans to take over Gaza

What we know about Netanyahu's cabinet meeting

Penny Wong urges Israel not to 'go down path' of Gaza takeover

Israel's security cabinet adopts five principles for 'ending the war', rejects alternative proposal

Israeli security cabinet has approved plan to take over Gaza City

previous

1of1

next

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