Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting opposition—both at home and abroad—over his proposed plan for a full military occupation of Gaza. Critics now include the Israeli Army Chief, the opposition leader, the United Nations, and governments of the United Kingdom and Australia.
According to Israeli media, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi (Eyal Zamir in earlier reports) warned that occupying Gaza City could endanger the lives of hostages and lead to exhaustion among Israeli troops. He instead recommended tightening the siege around Gaza while opposing a large-scale troop mobilization.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid called Netanyahu’s plan a “disaster” that could drag Israel into a prolonged and costly conflict, worsening the nation’s international isolation.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk strongly condemned the plan, urging Israel to abandon it immediately. He stated the move would violate international law and derail any prospects for a two-state solution.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also advised Israel to reconsider. They emphasized that this action would not facilitate the release of hostages nor solve the Palestinian crisis, but would only fuel more bloodshed.
As Netanyahu presses forward, analysts warn that insistence on such a plan could deepen political turmoil within Israel and spark a broader diplomatic crisis.
