Netanyahu decides to fully occupy the Gaza Strip

The strategy is at variance with that of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who opposes a full occupation of Gaza.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to occupy the Gaza Strip as a means of achieving the twin war goals of “total victory” over Hamas and returning the hostages.

The strategy was reported by a source from within the Prime Minister’s Office to The Jerusalem Post on Monday night.

The strategy is at variance with that of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who opposes a complete occupation of Gaza.

The Prime Minister’s Office reportedly communicated a message to the IDF Chief of Staff that if he did not find the policy suitable, he could resign.

On Tuesday, the political leadership is expected to hold a meeting about possibly expanding military operations in Gaza.

The decision comes after an extensive stalemate in negotiations for a ceasefire deal in Doha, which caused an impasse between Hamas and Israel about ending the war and the terror group’s disarmament.

Hamas has demanded that it will not renew hostage negotiations until hundreds of aid trucks enter the Gaza Strip.

Although international news agencies have alleged that Israel is blocking aid, the joint US-Israel effort–the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation–has delivered millions of meals while preventing Hamas from stealing the aid.

In the past few days, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released propaganda videos showing emaciated hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. They alleged that their starved condition was the result of famine in Gaza, although their captors did not show signs of starvation.

After the videos elicited international outrage and calls that the Red Cross be allowed to deliver aid to the hostages, Hamas responded that they would agree to this only if Israel opens all humanitarian corridors and restricts the air force from operating in the Strip.