Donald Trump has said that a decision over whether to fully occupy the Gaza Strip is “pretty much up to Israel” as he declined to support or oppose the potential expansion of Israeli military activity in the enclave.
His comments came as Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior security officials on Tuesday, amid reports he wants to stage a complete military takeover of the strip.
After months of ceasefire talks stalled, Netanyahu and Trump are reportedly working on a deal that presents Hamas with an ultimatum: release the hostages and agree to terms to disarm or the war continues.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump declined to say whether he supported or opposed a potential military takeover of Gaza by Israel and said his administration's focus was on increasing food access to the Palestinian enclave.
"I know that we are there now trying to get people fed," he said. "As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel."
The President said that Israel and Arab states were going to help with food and aid distribution in Gaza and provide financial assistance, without elaborating on specific details.
Trump himself proposed a US takeover of Gaza earlier this year, an idea which was condemned around the world.
Israel’s Channel 12, citing an official from Mr Netanyahu’s office, reported on Monday that Netanyahu was leaning towards pushing his army deeper into Gaza with the aim of taking full control of the entire territory.
This is despite former security officials speaking out including previous leaders of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service, Mossad spy agency and the military, as well as ex-prime minister Ehud Barak. In a video posted to social media this week, they said far-right members of the government are holding Israel “hostage” in prolonging the conflict.
Mr Netanyahu’s office said on Tuesday night that he had held “limited security discussion” lasting about three hours during which military chief of staff Eyal Zamir “presented the options for continuing the campaign in Gaza”.
An Israeli source told The Independent they understand defence minister Israel Katz and strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Mr Netanyahu, would also attend the meeting to decide on a strategy to take to cabinet this week.
But Mr Netanyahu is facing a growing clamour of criticism even from within the country.
In the video posted to social media, Yoram Cohen, former head of Shin Bet, said Mr Netanyahu’s objectives in Gaza are “a fantasy”.
“If anyone imagines that we can reach every terrorist and every pit and every weapon, and in parallel bring our hostages home, I think it is impossible,” he said.
Israeli media also reported disagreements between the beleaguered premier and his army chief, Mr Zamir, on how to proceed. The reports, citing anonymous officials in Mr Netanyahu’s office, said the prime minister was pushing the army, which controls about three-quarters of Gaza, to conquer the entire territory. But it is feared that such a step could endanger hostages, deepen the humanitarian crisis and further isolate Israel internationally.
One source told The Independent that the Israeli prime minister is under pressure from far-right members of his cabinet to ramp up the war in Gaza as it appears he in a “weaker spot at the moment”, with Hamas effectively winning a PR battle over the global condemnation of the starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.
But he is facing massive resistance from within the country.
“Israeli soldiers and reservists and everybody are just hugely tired,” the source said. Continuing the conflict will mean “more soldiers dead all exhausted, more taxes on Israelis” as well as risk to the hostages.
“More and more soldiers are dying every day, full occupation with your soldiers not on top form is an issue.”
International leaders have ramped up pressure to reach a deal as Gaza faces widespread starvation and videos of two emaciated Israeli hostages circulated online.
The videos prompted thousands of people to protest in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to demand the release of the hostages and an end to the war.
Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich last week sent a strong message that the country was “closer than ever” to rebuilding Jewish settlements in Gaza and that the war presented an opportunity to expand them further.
“It’s real,” he added. “For 20 years we called it wishful thinking. It seems to me it is now a real working plan.”
Seizing Gaza would reverse a 2005 decision by Israel to pull settlers and military out while retaining control over its borders, a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there.
Israel’s coalition government is regarded as one of the most right wing in its history, with the cabinet including parties that seek to annex both Gaza and the West Bank and encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland.
Israeli tanks pushed into central Gaza earlier on Tuesday but it was not clear if the move was part of a larger ground offensive.
Meanwhile, “the worst-case scenario of famine” is playing out in Gaza, according to a UN-backed food security agency.
Israel has repeatedly denied that there are restrictions on aid or that there is a hunger crisis in Gaza. It blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza and says it is taking steps to get more aid to Palestinians.
“Israel is starving Gaza. It’s genocide. It’s a crime against humanity. It’s a war crime. I have been repeating it and repeating it and repeating it,” Michael Fakhri, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, told the Guardian.
“Israel has built the most efficient starvation machine you can imagine. So while it’s always shocking to see people being starved, no one should act surprised. All the information has been out in the open since early 2024.”
In total, 289 airdrops have been conducted since Israel permitted them to restart two weeks ago, delivering 305 tonnes of aid.
However, officials in Jordan claimed that they have had warehouses of aid for Gaza gathering dust since Israel reimposed its devastating blockade in March.
More than 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
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