Israel's plan to occupy Gaza: Security Cabinet approves, displacement of 2.1 million Palestinians, humanitarian crisis likely to deepen

Tel Aviv: Israel's Security Cabinet on May 4, 2025 unanimously approved a controversial plan that includes a strategy to completely occupy the Gaza Strip and establish military control there. The plan provides for displacing 2.1 million Palestinians to the southern part of Gaza and preventing Hamas from distributing humanitarian aid. The move has sparked sharp reactions in the international community, as it could further deepen the already worsening humanitarian crisis. Let us analyze this incident based on facts and latest developments.

‘Gideon Rath’ Operation: Plan to occupy Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the plan as a decisive step to “eliminate Hamas and bring back the hostages”. The plan, named “Gideon Rath”, includes the following points:

• Occupy Gaza: The Israeli army (IDF) will occupy the entire territory of Gaza and maintain a permanent military presence there. This strategy is different from earlier raid-based operations in which the army would evacuate the area.
• Displacement: Gaza’s 2.1 million population will be relocated to a “humanitarian zone” in the southern Rafah region. Netanyahu described it as “for their safety”, but human rights groups termed it “forced displacement” and “ethnic cleansing”.
• Aid control: Aid will be distributed through private companies to prevent Hamas from distributing aid. The United Nations refused to cooperate with the plan, calling it a “violation of humanitarian principles”.
• Deployment of reserve troops: The IDF has called up 50,000 reserve troops, who will be deployed in Gaza as well as along the Lebanon and West Bank borders.

Timing of the plan and Trump's role

Israeli officials clarified that the operation will begin after US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East on May 13-16. The visit is limited to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. A senior official described it as the "last chance for Hamas" to agree to hostage release and a ceasefire. Trump had advocated developing Gaza as a "riviera" and a "voluntary exodus" of Palestinians in February 2025, which was supported by Israeli right-wing leaders.

Hamas and Palestinian response

Hamas rejected the plan, calling it "pressure and blackmail." Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi told Al Jazeera, "We will only accept a complete ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza." “Israeli threats will not scare us. We will stay in Gaza,” said Osama Tawfiq, a 48-year-old resident of Gaza. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 673 people were killed and 1,233 injured since the ceasefire broke down in March 2025. Overall, 52,535 Palestinians have been killed in the war.

International concerns and humanitarian crisis

The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have condemned the plan. The UN Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) said the plan is designed to “strengthen control over life-saving goods and promote forced displacement”. All aid has been blocked in Gaza since March 2, leading to starvation and lack of medicine affecting millions of people.

Internal opposition in Israel

Families of hostages in Israel described the plan as an “abandonment of hostages”. Hostage and Missing Families Forum said, “This is the Smotrich-Netanyahu plan, selectively releasing hostages by taking territory.” According to opinion polls, 70% of the Israeli public wants a ceasefire for hostage release.

Experts’ analysis

Experts believe the plan is an attempt to strengthen Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition government and silence domestic criticism. Professor Shira Efron said, “Netanyahu’s move targets both territorial control and internal politics.” However, Houthi missile attacks and the growing threat of Iran-backed groups have raised questions about Israel's military capability.

Conclusion

Israel's Gaza occupation plan has raised tensions in the Middle East to a boiling point. The displacement of 2.1 million Palestinians and the strategy to control aid have raised fears of a further deepening humanitarian crisis. Trump's visit and negotiations with Hamas will determine the future of the plan. Will it help Israel achieve its goals, or further destabilize the region? Time and diplomacy will decide.