Media Report, Netanyahu Decides To Sit Full Of Gaza Strip

JAKARTA - Israel's chief authority, Benjamin Netanyahu, is reported to have decided to fully occupy the Gaza Strip and expand military operations in the enclave.

The decision marks a major shift in Israel's military strategy, amid increasing domestic and international pressure on the handling of the protracted conflict.

Citing the daily report of Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday, August 4 evening local time, a senior official close to Netanyahu stated that the decision had been unanimous.

"Decisions have been taken-we will occupy the Gaza Strip completely," the official said.

He also added that military operations would still be carried out even in areas believed to be places of detention of hostages.

"If the IDF (military) Chief of Staff doesn't agree, he should resign," the source said again.

A similar report was also submitted by Channel 12 Israel that called the move a major change in military strategy.

Military operations are expected to reach densely populated areas, including refugee camps in the central region of the Gaza Strip, which was previously relatively more protected from intensive military escalation.

Netanyahu is also said to have insisted on continuing the expansion of the operation despite opposition from a number of security circles.

Citing the KAN public broadcast, several cabinet ministers who recently had direct discussions with Netanyahu stated that the head of government still used the term population of the Gaza Strip' as part of efforts to defeat Hamas in total.

On the other hand, the Yetioth Ahronoth newspaper also reported that United States President Donald Trump is said to have given Netanyahu a "green light" to expand the attack on Gaza. A number of senior officials close to Netanyahu said that targeted military operations would reach all regions, including areas believed to be the locations of the hostages.

Channel 13 Israel reports that IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir canceled its planned visit to Washington. The cancellation is said to be related to the failure of ceasefire negotiations and political pressure at home to expand attacks.

Earlier, on July 29, Haaretz media reported that Netanyahu had submitted to the Israeli cabinet a plan to re-resident parts of Gaza, a plan that was said to have been approved by the United States. However, efforts to resolve negotiations on the release of partial hostages actually ran aground in the middle of the road.

An Israeli security official quoted by KAN regretted the steps taken by the Netanyahu government which was deemed a waste of peaceful settlement opportunities. "The gap can still be bridged, but Israel has turned away from the deal," he said.

This decision re-triggers criticism of Netanyahu, both from within the country and from the international community. He is accused of extending the war for personal political purposes, rather than encouraging a sustainable conflict resolution and protecting the interests of the Israeli people as a whole.