Israeli Prime Minister will conduct ministerial talks about occupation, despite the appeals of help agencies and hostage families
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned a security office that should be held on Thursday night to discuss the total occupation of the Gaza Strip, which humanitarian aid agencies warned that it would lead to numerous Palestinian deaths and more massive displacements.
Families of around 20 live hostages have asked Israelis to protest against the government and a decision they fear that they endanger the lives of their loved ones.
On Thursday morning, about 20 relatives of those still hostage to Gaza embarked on about 10 boats that departed from Ashkelon’s coastal city, near the Gaza border, carrying yellow flags and posters with hostage images while shouting their names.
Families hold photos of their loved ones and ask for immediate release from hostages during the flotilla near Ashkelon | ABIR SULTAN/EPA
Speaking of English through a megaphone, Yehuda Cohen, whose son, Nimrod, was captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023, said: “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. We need all international assistance to rescue the 50 hostages that have been trapped in Hamas for almost two years.”
“Please, we need international help,” Cohen added.
Of the 251 people kidnapped on October 7 by Hamas and his allies, 49 remain hostage to Gaza, of which 27 were declared killed by the army.
“This is the time for a brave leadership,” the families said, directly appealing to Netanyahu, as well as the main hostage negotiator, Ron Dermer, and the head of Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF). “Obstruction, backwardness, and continuous disability of bringing our loved ones home will be a tragedy for generations. The responsibility is yours. Do not sacrifice our loved ones on the altar of an endless war.”
The Israeli media, citing authorities speaking on condition of anonymity, said Netanyahu expected to obtain approval for the full occupation of Gaza.
The plan would mean sending land troops to the few areas of the track that were not fully destroyed, about 25% of the territory where much of its 2 million inhabitants sought refuge.
Protesters asked Netanyahu to show “brave leadership” and end the war. | Debbie Hill/UPI/Shutterstock
Israel is allegedly preparing a two -phase operation aimed at controlling the city of Gaza, with plans to evacuate about one million residents – half of the Gaza population – in which authorities describe as a temporary measure to establish civil infrastructure in the center of Gaza.
According to Israeli channel 12, the campaign is being framed as a limited operation, not as a complete invasion, apparently to appease military chiefs, fears of a long -term occupation. The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, would have warned that the occupation of Gaza would plunge Israel into a “black hole” of prolonged insurgency, humanitarian responsibility and increased risk to hostages.
The purpose of the operation – potentially involving up to five FDI divisions and lasting four to five months – suggests a much broader campaign. Israeli authorities claim that the campaign aims to pressure Hamas to resume negotiations and possibly align with a broader peace structure led by the US.
However, many remain skeptical. As an unidentified security official said: “We are entering a Vietnam model, with our eyes wide open.”
Netanyahu is under intense international pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement, but also faces internal pressure from his coalition to continue the war. Some extreme right allies in their government have been pressured by the full occupation of Gaza and the restoration of Israeli settlements in the region, two decades after their withdrawal.
The end-right Israeli finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, told reporters on Wednesday that he expected the government to approve the military to take control of the rest of Gaza.
“Where should we go? We have been displaced and humiliated enough,” said Aya Mohammad, a 30 -year -old Palestine who, after repeated travel, returned with her family to the city of Gaza.
“Do you know what is displacement? The world knows? It means that your dignity is destroyed, you become a homeless beggar for food, water and medicine,” she said.
About 200 Palestinians starved in Gaza since the beginning of the war, almost half of them children, according to the Ministry of Health of Gaza.
More than 61,000 Palestinians were killed by the Israeli attack on Gaza, according to local health officials, who said at least 20 people were killed in air attacks on the territory on Thursday.
Originally published by The Guardian on 07/08/2025
By Lorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem
Reuters, AFP and Associated Press contributed to this article.
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/08/07/temores-por-palestinos-e-refens-enquanto-netanyahu-planeja-ocupacao-total-de-gaza/
