Gaza — In a move widely condemned as a blatant act of ethnic cleansing, Israeli authorities have intensified attacks in Gaza, signaling preparations for a full-scale military occupation. This escalation follows reports of secret meetings chaired by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where plans to expand military control and push for complete territorial dominance over the besieged enclave were reportedly discussed.
According to Livemint, Netanyahu held a “small, discreet meeting” with key ministers, allegedly without inviting the broader war cabinet. The exclusive gathering, described by analysts as suspicious and highly strategic, centered around the possibility of launching a full military occupation of Gaza. Officials briefed on the matter warned that such moves suggest a long-term colonial grip, aimed at permanently displacing the indigenous Palestinian population and erasing Palestinian governance structures. The report added that military and intelligence officials voiced concerns about the repercussions, with some fearing a quagmire similar to Israel’s disastrous 1982 Lebanon occupation.
As field operations escalate, so do the blatant violations of international law. Israeli forces have issued forced displacement orders in central and northern Gaza. Thousands of civilians were instructed to flee their homes ahead of ground incursions, a maneuver widely denounced by human rights organizations as collective punishment. UN agencies have warned that this could amount to a war crime under international law. The Guardian noted that Israeli officials are pushing narratives of “security operations” while simultaneously creating unlivable conditions for Palestinians through indiscriminate bombing, water scarcity, and medical blockades, hallmarks of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Further fueling international alarm, Netanyahu’s determination for a full-scale occupation has reportedly solidified behind closed doors. According to Al Jazeera, multiple sources within the Israeli establishment confirmed that the prime minister has already decided to proceed with a full occupation. This decision appears to be less about defense and more about a political calculus tied to Netanyahu’s far-right coalition, which has long advocated for the annexation and colonization of Gaza. Al Jazeera also reported that critics within Israel have warned this decision will destabilize the entire region and irreparably damage the country’s global standing, particularly as images of mass civilian deaths and starving children in Gaza dominate headlines.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reflects the internal discourse, with some outlets cautiously acknowledging the implications of the operation. According to The Jerusalem Post, Israeli forces have already conducted deep incursions in several parts of Gaza and are actively pursuing the dismantling of Hamas infrastructure. However, the Jerusalem Post subtly admitted that military leaders have warned Netanyahu of “strategic challenges” should a full occupation be implemented, signaling quiet resistance within the ranks. The paper also acknowledged growing discontent among reservists and military families as the death toll mounts and the mission scope becomes increasingly imperialistic.
Analysts say Netanyahu’s push for occupation reveals the farce behind Israel’s “self-defense” rhetoric. The forced removal of Palestinians, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the calculated demolition of civilian infrastructure point not to security concerns, but to a genocidal ideology aimed at extinguishing Palestinian existence. As the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel continues to be used as political justification, critics argue that Israel and its Western backers, particularly the US, are leveraging the tragedy to mask war crimes and territorial conquest.
Noted by Livemint, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and The Jerusalem Post, the developments mark a dangerous inflection point in the Gaza genocide. As forced displacements accelerate and occupation plans materialize, human rights groups have urged immediate international intervention to prevent the erasure of Gaza’s population under the guise of counterterrorism.
