Why Trump Is Allowing A Full Gaza Occupation
The Prime Minister is moving to get approval for a military operation to occupy all of Gaza with the effective support of the President.
President Trump was convinced to allow Israel to massively expand military operations in the Gaza Strip after seeing the hostage videos showing two of the remaining living hostages in emaciated and even skeletal condition, according to Channel 12 reporter Barak Ravid's report today (Wednesday).
According to the report, President Trump does not intend to intervene or be involved in the government's decision on whether to go for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip, set to be discussed at the cabinet meeting tomorrow. This meeting is expected to be contentious, as the IDF Chief of Staff opposes the plan, as do senior ministers such as Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Shas party leader Aryeh Deri. On the other hand, hawks such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich openly support the move.
The President is reportedly moving to take leadership of the humanitarian effort to feed Gazan civilians, in terms of both budgets and countries. According to Channel 12 reporter Amit Segal, the plan to occupy Gaza will include the massive expansion of operations by the Gaza Humanitarian Fund from 4 aid stations to 16, with the aim of ensuring that only Palestinian citizens receive food and not Hamas terrorists or other armed groups.
Senior sources speaking to Ravid did say that the United States opposes a plan floated earlier last week to annex parts of the Gaza Strip as a way of pressuring Hamas into a hostage deal, and idea which would start with annexing the IDF "perimeter" within the Gaza Strip, about a kilometer deep.
President Trump also said that everyone should watch the "horrible" video showing hostage Evyatar David being forced to dig his own grave.