What is presented as a military operation could become the most significant territorial and political reshaping of the region since the post-1973 war era.
Gaza, August 10, 2025 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has activated a military expansion plan that goes beyond dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure. It aims to occupy Gaza City, establish an alternative civil administration, and displace hundreds of thousands of residents from their homes. Approved by his security cabinet, the strategy is framed as a “demilitarization” measure, but its scope suggests an attempt to redesign political and territorial control of the enclave, severing all ties with the Palestinian Authority and imposing a governance system under Israel’s direct supervision.
At the United Nations, senior officials have expressed alarm over the scale of the plan. UN Under-Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca warned that a full-scale occupation could trigger a humanitarian disaster of historic proportions and obstruct negotiations to secure the release of hostages still in captivity. International humanitarian agencies have warned that, in a territory where basic infrastructure has collapsed, food insecurity is extreme, and forced displacement is escalating, such an operation could set off an irreversible crisis.
Meanwhile, the streets of Tel Aviv have become a thermometer of domestic discontent. More than one hundred thousand people have demonstrated, demanding a ceasefire and an agreement with Hamas to secure the release of hostages. The movement —uniting hostage families, reservists, and critics within the security establishment— reflects a growing political and social fracture as the conflict drags on. In parallel, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, from the government’s far-right flank, has warned that Netanyahu’s plan is insufficient and that, unless it is implemented with greater force, it could spark a political crisis leading to early elections.
Abroad, the international community is stepping up the pressure. The European Union, several Arab states, and multilateral organizations have condemned the initiative, calling it a blatant violation of international law and the Geneva Conventions. In an unusual diplomatic move, the U.S. special envoy and the Qatari prime minister have resumed contacts in Europe in an attempt to revive a ceasefire process to halt the escalation. However, the negotiations face the challenge of an Israeli official narrative that frames the occupation as an unavoidable phase to ensure long-term security.
On the ground, the consequences are already tangible. Entire districts have been evacuated, humanitarian corridors remain exposed to bombardment, and civilian casualties continue to rise. According to human rights organizations, more than one thousand people have died in recent weeks while attempting to access food distribution points under siege conditions. For many military analysts, this phase of the conflict marks a shift from conventional warfare to a long-term control scenario, where civil administration will be as decisive as military dominance.
Within this context, three possible paths emerge. If Netanyahu’s plan proceeds unchecked, Israel will consolidate a permanent presence in Gaza, reorganizing the enclave under its own political and security architecture. If a domestic disruption occurs —through public pressure, military dissent, or active international sanctions— the government could be forced to negotiate a partial withdrawal. And in a bifurcation scenario, Qatari-U.S. diplomacy could lead to a ceasefire agreement that includes hostage releases and the installation of a temporary international administration, once again reshaping the balance of power in the region.
Esta pieza fue desarrollada por el equipo editorial de Phoenix24 con base en fuentes confiables, datos públicos y análisis riguroso, en coherencia con el contexto global vigente.
This piece was developed by the Phoenix24 editorial team using reliable sources, public data, and rigorous analysis in alignment with the current global context.