Netanyahu Vows Gaza Population Will Be Relocated As Israel Plans Major Military Expansion

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to relocate Gaza’s population after his security cabinet approved an expanded military operation — a move one minister openly described as an effort to “conquer” the territory.

The cabinet vote, held on Sunday, came just hours after the Israeli military revealed it would mobilize tens of thousands of reservists to bolster its presence in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

“One thing is clear: there will be no in-and-out," Netanyahu said in a video posted Monday on X. "We are calling up reserves to come, hold territory — not just to carry out raids and leave. That’s not the plan. The goal is the opposite."

"There will be a movement of the population to protect them," he added.

A senior Israeli security official confirmed that the operation, codenamed "Gideon’s Chariots," was unanimously approved by the cabinet. The mission aims to defeat Hamas and secure the release of all hostages.

Implementation of the plan is expected after U.S. President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to the Middle East next week, which officials hope will provide a final opportunity to negotiate a hostage deal.

"If no deal is reached, Operation Gideon’s Chariots will launch in full force and continue until all objectives are met," the official said.

The plan reportedly includes relocating Gaza’s population to the southern part of the strip. Once the southward movement is completed, Israel may ease the blockade on humanitarian aid — but military forces will remain in all captured areas.

"Under any temporary or permanent arrangement, Israel will not withdraw from the security buffer zone around Gaza, designed to protect Israeli communities and prevent arms smuggling to Hamas," the official added.

Annexation on the Table?

Meanwhile, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich made even bolder statements, declaring Monday that Israel is "finally going to conquer the Gaza Strip."

Speaking at a Jerusalem conference, Smotrich suggested that annexation of Gaza is a real possibility. He emphasized that once the military operation expands, Israel would not retreat — even if Hamas agrees to a hostage deal.

"Once we conquer and stay, we can talk about sovereignty over Gaza," Smotrich said. "But I didn’t demand that it be included in the war’s objectives. Once the maneuver begins — there will be no withdrawal from the territories we capture, not even in exchange for hostages."

Although Smotrich's official role centers on finance, he wields considerable influence over Netanyahu, whose government relies heavily on the support of right-wing factions.

Mounting Palestinian Casualties

Since mid-March, more than 2,400 Palestinians have been killed during Israeli strikes that shattered a fragile ceasefire. In total, over 52,000 Palestinians have died since the broader conflict erupted, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israeli officials indicated that the military escalation would proceed gradually to allow time for a possible renewed ceasefire or hostage release deal ahead of Trump’s Middle East tour, which includes visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar — but not Israel.

Meanwhile, Gaza remains under a near-total blockade of humanitarian aid, now entering its ninth week.

Tensions Over Humanitarian Aid

The Israeli cabinet also debated a new mechanism for resuming aid deliveries to Gaza, though it has not yet been implemented.

During Sunday’s meeting, fierce arguments reportedly erupted. Far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Orit Strook opposed any resumption of aid, while Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stressed that Israel is obligated under international law to facilitate humanitarian relief.

According to a source who spoke with CNN, reports about these cabinet disputes are accurate.

Israel previously cut off humanitarian aid to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. However, international organizations warn that the blockade risks creating a man-made famine and accuse Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war — a potential war crime.

U.S. and Israeli officials are currently working on a plan to deliver aid to Gaza that bypasses Hamas. A private foundation, yet unnamed, would manage the humanitarian shipments, with oversight by the United Nations and other international groups.

The U.S. State Department said the mechanism is designed to ensure that aid reaches civilians without being intercepted by militant groups.

However, aid agencies operating in Gaza rejected the proposal, claiming it would reinforce control over vital supplies rather than ensure they reach the most vulnerable.

“The UN Secretary-General and the Emergency Relief Coordinator have made clear that we will not participate in any scheme that does not adhere to the global humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality,” the agencies said in a joint statement.