The Israeli security cabinet early Friday approved a plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand military action in Gaza, in a decision that went against the recommendation of his military.
Mr. Netanyahu’s office said in a statement after the meeting that the Israeli military would “prepare to take control of Gaza City.”
Why does Israel want to control Gaza City?
Mr. Netanyahu said in interviews on Thursday that an expanded operation would ensure Israel’s security, drive Hamas from power, enable the return of hostages and pave the way for a temporary administration in Gaza, which he said Israel wanted to eventually hand over to “Arab forces.”
On Friday, after the meeting, Mr. Netanyahu’s office said the security cabinet had adopted “five principles for concluding the war,” including disarming Hamas, bringing back the hostages, demilitarizing Gaza, establishing Israeli security control over the enclave and setting up “an alternative civilian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.”
The announcement by his office seemed to stop short of saying Israel would take full control of the Gaza Strip, which Mr. Netanyahu earlier said was his plan.
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The post Israel Says It’s Preparing to Take Control of Gaza City. What Does That Mean? appeared first on New York Times.
