Donald Trump on Israel's Decision Regarding Gaza Occupation Amid Takeover Reports

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United States President Donald Trump did not express clear support or opposition regarding a possible Israeli military takeover of Gaza, emphasizing instead that his administration is focused on facilitating increased food access to the Palestinian territory under attack by Israel, an ally of the US.

“We’re currently focused on ensuring that people are fed. Regarding other matters, I really can’t comment. It’s primarily going to be Israel’s decision,” Trump stated while speaking to reporters in Washington, DC, after being asked about Israel reoccupying all of Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held discussions with senior security officials, with reports suggesting he is in favor of a full military takeover of Gaza.

A release from Netanyahu’s office noted that a “limited security discussion” took place, lasting around three hours, during which military chief of staff Eyal Zamir outlined various strategies for continuing the Gaza campaign.

An Israeli official had informed Reuters that defense minister Israel Katz and strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, a close associate of Netanyahu, were also part of the meeting to prepare a strategy for the cabinet’s consideration this week.

Israeli media reported the cabinet would convene on Friday 1am AEST.

Israel’s Channel 12, citing an official from Netanyahu’s office, had said the prime minister was leaning towards taking control of the entire territory. That would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw Israeli citizens and soldiers from Gaza, while retaining control over its borders, airspace and utilities, a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there in the 2006 election.

It was unclear, however, whether Netanyahu was foreseeing a prolonged takeover or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing Israeli hostages.

The prime minister’s office declined to comment on the Channel 12 report.

“It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu told new recruits at a military base. “We are not giving up on any of these missions.”

The United Nations called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel’s military operations throughout the Gaza Strip “deeply alarming” if true.

UN assistant secretary-general Miroslav Jenča told a Security Council meeting: “International law is clear in the regard; Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state.”

A Palestinian official said the suggestion of a full Israeli military takeover of Gaza may be a tactic to pressure Hamas into concessions, while the Palestinian foreign ministry urged foreign nations to take heed of the reports.

“The ministry calls on nations and the international community to take these leaks seriously and to act promptly to prevent their implementation, regardless of whether they are intended to apply pressure, assess international reactions, or are genuinely serious,” it stated.

Israel’s coalition government, the most right-wing and religiously conservative in its history, includes far-right politicians who advocate the annexation of both Gaza and the West Bank and encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland.

The International Court of Justice said in 2024 that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal and should end soon.

Palestinians living in the last quarter of territory where Israel has not yet taken military control, via ground incursions or demands for civilians to leave, said any new push would be catastrophic.

“If tanks advance, where are we supposed to go, into the sea?” said Abu Jehad, a local wood merchant in Gaza. “This could essentially be a death sentence for the entire population.”

Meanwhile, local health authorities said at least 20 people were killed by Israeli gunfire as they waited for UN aid trucks in the northern Gaza Strip. While 20 people were wounded by Israeli gunfire in southern Gaza as they waited to get aid near Morag Square near Rafah, medics said.

Eight more people died of starvation or malnutrition in the last day, Gaza’s health ministry said, while at least 80 people were killed in the latest Israeli firing.

Some 188 Palestinians, including 94 children, have died from hunger since the war escalated, according to Gaza authorities.

On Saturday, Hamas released a video of the Israeli hostage Evyatar David, appearing emaciated in what seemed to be an underground tunnel. The images shocked Israelis and sparked international condemnation.

David’s brother urged the Security Council to apply pressure to secure the unconditional release of the remaining hostages and to guarantee that humanitarian aid reaches them.

A man beamed on large monitors in front of people sitting in a conference room.

Ilay David, appearing on screen, displayed a photo of his brother Evyatar, who is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, during a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York. Source: EPA / Justin Lane

“Every moment of delay is a step closer to final tragic outcome,” Ilay David told the meeting.

He said the video showed his brother as “a living skeleton. He had barely the strength to move or speak, his voice barely recognisable”, the brother said, adding neither he nor his mother could bring themselves to watch.

As outrage built over the video, Netanyahu requested the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross to aid hostages in Gaza.

Hamas’ armed wing said it would allow the agency access to the hostages but only if “humanitarian corridors” for food and aid were opened “across all areas of the Gaza Strip”.

The al-Qassam Brigades said it did “not intentionally starve” the hostages, but they would not receive any special food privileges “amid the crime of starvation and siege” in Gaza.