Report: Gaza Strip Occupation May Last 5 Months and a Displacement Plan Looms

SadaNews: The Israeli political-security cabinet will discuss on Thursday a comprehensive plan to occupy the Gaza Strip, amid expectations that the operation will last for about five months, including control over Gaza City and the main refugee camps, with the participation of six military divisions.

According to what was reported by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation "Kan 11", it is expected that the cabinet will approve this plan, which includes military operations in two main locations: Gaza City in the northern part of the strip and the main refugee camps. This move aims to pressure Hamas to release the hostages, despite an Israeli source indicating that the chances of the movement returning to the negotiation table before implementing the plan are "virtually non-existent".

"Kan 11" also reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to implement a large-scale occupation plan, requiring significant mobilization of reserve soldiers, as part of a strategy described as "maximum force in the shortest time." The primary goal is to destroy the remaining centers of power of Hamas and push the residents of Gaza south towards the Mawasi area, in what is considered part of a plan for "voluntary migration" or forced displacement.

On the other hand, the report mentioned an alternative plan based on besieging Gaza City and the camps, by stopping the entry of humanitarian aid and conducting targeted airstrikes from observation points, without a full invasion. This plan aims to exhaust Hamas and push it towards an agreement, although the Israeli security system believes it may take longer and could be a prelude to a complete occupation of the strip.

The report also indicated that the Israeli army has developed phased plans, including separating Gaza City from the camps by reopening the "Nitzarim" road, alongside establishing temporary civil infrastructure to accommodate the displaced residents, prior to the start of the organized ground operation.

In this context, Israeli Channel 12 reported that U.S. President Donald Trump does not oppose Netanyahu's plan to occupy the strip, noting that "the matter will largely be left to Israel." Trump is expected to deliver a speech announcing the expansion of humanitarian aid, which will be partially funded by the United States and other countries, amounting to up to one billion dollars. This funding aims to establish new distribution centers in the center of the strip, with the goal of separating the aid from Hamas's mechanisms and ensuring it reaches civilians directly, although these centers have come to be known as "death traps" due to being targeted by occupation forces.

The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" also reported that the first step after evacuating the residents of Gaza City will be to occupy it, while pushing the residents south to encourage their exit from the strip, repeating previous displacement policies.

In conclusion, the report indicated that the cabinet will also discuss the idea of "annexing" the surroundings of the Gaza Strip and the security strip adjacent to the separation wall, with the aim of consolidating Israeli control there permanently. The duration of the complete military operation is estimated at several weeks, amid the continued captivity of some hostages in Gaza City and expectations of their transfer to other areas.