As the Gaza crisis deepens, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sparked controversy on Thursday by declaring that Israel aims to take control of “all of Gaza” but does not plan to “keep it.” He said Israel would eventually hand the territory to Arab forces that could “govern properly.”

In an interview, Netanyahu confirmed his intention when asked if Israel would seize the full 26-mile strip. “We intend to,” he said. “We don’t want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter. We don’t want to govern it. We don’t want to be there as a governing body.”

His remarks came as he prepared to meet Israel’s security cabinet to discuss expanding military control in Gaza.

Military Chief Opposes Plan

Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, rejected Netanyahu’s proposal. He warned that expanding operations could endanger hostages still held in Gaza.

Netanyahu argued that taking the remaining 25% of Gaza not yet under Israel Defense Forces (IDF) control was the only way to ensure Israel’s security and destroy Hamas. However, families of the hostages also oppose the plan, fearing it will put their loved ones at greater risk.

War Could Extend for Months

A military source told The Telegraph that if the security cabinet approves the plan, the war could last at least five more months. This would further diminish hopes for a ceasefire.

Netanyahu’s idea for Gaza’s future government may also face pushback from Israeli ultra-nationalists. Many of them want to remove Gazan civilians and replace them with Jewish settlements.

Currently, through Operation Gideon’s Chariot, the IDF controls 75% of Gaza. However, the mission has failed to fully eliminate Hamas.

Hamas and Arab Response

A Hamas official told Al Jazeera Mubasher that the group would treat any Arab force created to govern Gaza under Netanyahu’s plan as an “occupying” force tied to Israel. Hamas operatives firmly rejected the proposal.

Meanwhile, a Jordanian official said Arab nations “will only support what Palestinians agree and decide on.” Speaking anonymously to Al Jazeera, the official added, “Security in Gaza must be done through legitimate Palestinian institutions… Arabs will not agree to Netanyahu’s policies nor clean his mess.”

Protests and Public Opinion in Israel

Opposition is also growing inside Israel. Kibbutz Nir Oz, which suffered heavy losses during Hamas’s October 2023 attack, canceled a cornerstone-laying ceremony in protest against the cabinet meeting on Netanyahu’s plan.

Its chairman urged the government to secure the hostages’ release “even if the price is high,” adding that the kibbutz understands the dangers of Hamas better than the cabinet.

A new poll shows most Israelis want Netanyahu to sign a deal to free the hostages, even if it ends the war with Hamas without destroying the group.