Why Israel’s plan to take over Gaza City is facing backlash at home and abroad

Why Israel’s plan to take over Gaza City

Israel’s decision to expand its military operations in Gaza by taking control of Gaza City has drawn sharp criticism — not only from international allies like Britain and Germany but also from within the country’s own military leadership. The plan, approved early Friday by the Israeli security cabinet, comes amid stalled cease-fire talks and nearly two years of relentless fighting in the enclave, the New York Times reported.

Pushback from Israel’s top generals

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel’s military chief of staff, reportedly objected to the expansion earlier this week, citing the exhaustion of reservists and the strain of prolonged conflict. Military leaders have indicated they prefer a cease-fire over further combat, warning that the operation is unlikely to eliminate Hamas or secure the release of hostages. Retired Maj. Gen. Gadi Shamni, a former commander in Gaza, said the plan would “create more bereaved families” and harm Israel’s global standing.

The scope and ambiguity of the plan

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel aimed to take control of all of Gaza, remove Hamas from power, and hand civilian administration to another party. But a statement from his office on Friday focused solely on preparing to take over Gaza City, leaving the long-term objective unclear. Analysts suggest the threat of renewed operations could be a bargaining tactic to pressure Hamas in negotiations.

Why critics doubt it will work

Shamni warned that even if Israel seized Gaza City, Hamas could regroup as it has after past raids. He argued that a full takeover would require years of military governance and resources Israel does not have. The repeated pattern of operations followed by Hamas’s reemergence casts doubt on the plan’s effectiveness in changing the group’s hold on Gaza.

Hostage risks and humanitarian concerns

About 250 people were taken hostage during the October 2023 Hamas attack, and Israeli officials believe up to 20 remain alive in Gaza. Military officials fear the offensive could endanger these hostages rather than secure their release. “It’s totally clear that military pressure not only doesn’t bring back hostages — it will kill them,” Shamni said. The U.N. Security Council is set to meet this weekend to address the escalating situation.

International reaction

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the decision to escalate “wrong” and urged Israel to reconsider. Germany announced it would suspend military equipment exports that could be used in Gaza. Despite this, Israel appears committed to moving forward, with troop mobilization, reserve call-ups, and civilian evacuations expected to take days.

What happens next

The coming weeks will show whether the move is a genuine military push or a pressure tactic in cease-fire talks. For now, the plan has deepened rifts between Israel’s political leadership and its military command, while further straining relations with key allies concerned about the humanitarian toll and the risks to hostages.