Israeli cabinet approves plan to occupy Gaza

Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to occupy the Gaza Strip, according to local media reports on Friday.

The operation is set to begin with the conquest of Gaza City, with the aim of clearing it of its approximately one million Palestinian residents.

While the official statement referred to the move as a "takeover", Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that the term "occupy" was deliberately avoided to sidestep the legal obligations associated with formal occupation under international law.

A senior Israeli official told local media that the word choice was for official purposes only, confirming that the actual intention is to occupy the Gaza Strip.

The Prime Minister's Office said that the military will distribute "humanitarian assistance to the civilian population outside the combat zones".

An Israeli official told Axios that the plan aims to empty Gaza City of civilians within two months. A siege would then be imposed on the city, targeting Hamas members, followed by a ground operation.

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