President Trump has given a tacit green light for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take over the Gaza Strip, framing the move as an Israeli-owned decision amid a global outcry and growing calls in the U.S. to rein in Netanyahu. Trump has committed to taking the lead on humanitarian aid distribution in the strip amid famine-like conditions for a population enduring a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. However, he has refrained from criticizing Israel’s plans to escalate the war by expanding its military control of the Gaza Strip, even as international allies speak out against the operation.
Netanyahu’s decision, approved in a security Cabinet vote overnight between Thursday and Friday, is worsening deep divisions in Israeli society, pitting the military against the government, and isolating Israel from European and Arab and Gulf partners. Germany announced it would halt military exports to Israel that can be used in the Gaza Strip, following France, Canada, and the United Kingdom expressing their intent to recognize an independent Palestinian state, vehemently opposed by Israel. The U.K. initiated an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss Israel’s plan to take over Gaza.
Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, reportedly warned Netanyahu against taking over Gaza, cautioning it would trap the Israeli military and could lead to harm to the hostages. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the Cabinet’s decision a “total disaster that will lead to many more disasters.” While there is overwhelming bipartisan support for Israel in Washington, Netanyahu’s handling of the war and the immense humanitarian toll wrought on Palestinians has soured U.S. public opinion toward Israel, increased the number of Democratic opponents, and triggered some isolated GOP pushback.
