Israel's renewed ground offensive in Gaza, under Operation Gideon's Chariot, has triggered an international outcry over the indiscriminate bombing of the already battered Palestinian territory. Even staunch allies UK, France and Canada have called the escalation ‘egregious’ and threatened ‘concrete’ action against Israel, if does not stop the attacks and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the threats, and accused the leaders in London, Ottawa and Paris of offering a huge prize to Hamas, for what he called the genocidal attack on October 7, 2023. He promised to continue the war until total victory is achieved.
That's because Netanyahu and his cabinet have a concrete plan to take over Gaza, and control it like it controls the West Bank.
What is Israel's Endgame in Gaza
The proposal obtained by The Sunday Times, outlines an extensive redesign of Gaza’s internal geography, that would further strengthen Israeli control and heavily restrict Palestinian movement.
It involves dividing the Gaza Strip into three separate civilian zones. Gazans would be confined to these narrow strips in the south, central, and northern parts of the territory, each separated by Israeli military corridors.
The corridors will be narrower than the existing Rafah corridor.
Civilian movement between the corridors would require Israel-issued permits. Even goods would be subjected to barcode scanning and other tracking systems.
But, to create these civilian zones and military infrastructure, IDF has to flatten existing structures and take control of more territory. Hence, the indiscriminate bombing under Operation Gideon's Chariot.
The Israeli military has already reissued mass evacuation orders in several areas, pushing civilians toward designated humanitarian zones near Rafah—though these areas are also surrounded by Israeli forces.
Reports suggest that twelve locations within the civilian strip have been designated for humanitarian aid distribution. These areas will serve as aid delivery centers.
Israel's proposal includes privatizing aid delivery using companies monitored by Israeli forces—a system resembling the privatized checkpoints around the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Israel Losing International Support
But, Israel's proposal, presented to foreign diplomats, does not have international backing.
Many global leaders, who were once staunch supporters of Israel, are now opposing the Gaza takeover plan. It's not just UK, France and Canada, reports suggest that even US President Donald Trump is stepping up pressure on Netanyahu to end the war and allow aid into Gaza.
On Monday, a report by Axios revealed that US Vice President JD Vance canceled a trip to Israel. Vance called off the visit to avoid appearing to endorse Israel's expanding military operations in Gaza.
That's probably why Netanyahu is allowing 'limited aid' into Gaza. He even admitted the decision was made due to diplomatic compulsions. Pictures of starving children and blame for causing a famine in Gaza would hurt Israel's image, and that of his allies.
Netanyahu said, “Our greatest friends in the world, senators who I know as enthusiastic supporters of Israel and without any condition, that I have known them for tens of years, come to me and tell me this: We are giving you all the assistance to complete the victory: weapons, support for your moves to eliminate Hamas, protection in the Security Council. There is one thing we cannot stand; we cannot accept images of hunger, mass hunger, and that is what we cannot stand. We won’t be able to support you. Therefore, in order to achieve the victory, we must somehow solve the problem until we establish those points and until we build the sterile area under IDF control for the distribution of food and medicines. We need to provide some kind of bridging, a basic minimal bridging so that there will be no hunger."
Netanyahu hopes the concession on aid would allow Israel to continue its violent military operation in Gaza.
The IDF has already killed over 53,000 Palestinians, including women and children, since October 2023.
But Netanyahu has refused to stop until the remaining hostages are released, Hamas lays down its arms, its leaders are exiled and Gaza is demilitarized.
He's promised Israel will not accept anything less, and is certainly willing to achieve the goals with more death and destruction.
