Israel plans to take all of Gaza, officials say

Israeli cabinet ministers on Monday morning approved a plan to capture all of Gaza and hold it for an unspecified time. The plan would also move Palestinians in Gaza to the southern end of the enclave, Israeli officials anonymously told the Associated Press. The plan also would end Hamas’ involvement in distributing food and other humanitarian aid.

The news comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel’s primary goal in the war was to defeat Hamas. Rescuing the hostages still held by the terror group was secondary, he said.

Would any humanitarian aid flow to Palestinians under the plan? The Israeli plan would allow aid distribution through hubs run by private security companies, according to a memo seen by the Associated Press. All aid would enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing at the junction of Egypt-Israel-Gaza border sections. Aid also would be given directly to locals on the day of entry. About 60 trucks would enter daily, according to the plan—though the daily average of aid trucks entering before the war was 500.

The United Nations’ humanitarian office on Sunday condemned the Israeli plan in a statement. It said the plan would force Palestinian civilians to venture into militarized zones to collect aid, and many would continue to go without needed supplies. The UN also said Israel’s ban on aid to Gaza, which has been in place for nine weeks, is leaving people hungry. Israel blockaded aid in an attempt to pressure Hamas to disband and end the war.

When will Israel implement the new plan? The Israeli government will hold off on the plan until after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit in mid-May, an official told Haaretz. Israel will continue to negotiate toward a new hostage deal with U.S. help until then.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday said Israeli forces wouldn’t withdraw from the Gaza Strip, even in exchange for hostages. No discussion about Gaza’s sovereignty could happen before the defeat of Hamas, he said, according to The Times of Israel.

Dig deeper: Read my report on Netanyahu’s speech about Israel’s war priorities.