Netanyahu Rejects Gaza Humanitarian City Plan, Demands Faster, Realistic Alternatives

In a tense cabinet meeting Sunday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a controversial plan to establish a humanitarian city in southern Gaza, demanding that the IDF return with “realistic” alternatives within 24 hours, Israeli media reported.

The proposal, originally advanced by Defense Minister Israel Katz, would have seen the creation of a large-scale relocation zone to house over 600,000 displaced Palestinians. But the IDF has reportedly opposed the plan on both logistical and strategic grounds warning that the extensive project, which could take up to a year to complete, would severely undermine efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

Netanyahu reportedly told IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir: “I asked for a realistic plan!” Sources say he demanded faster, more cost-effective options be submitted by the following day.

Military leaders and defense officials reportedly fear that such a humanitarian enclave would be interpreted by Hamas as a sign that Israel is preparing for only a temporary ceasefire before restarting hostilities thereby reducing leverage and possibly complicating ongoing hostage negotiations.

The backlash wasn’t limited to the security establishment. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir lashed out publicly against the entire debate, dismissing it as “spin” intended to mask a broader political compromise.

“This humanitarian city will certainly not be built as part of the surrender deal being crafted with Hamas,” Ben-Gvir said in a post on X. “The IDF will retreat from terror territories that were captured at the cost of our soldiers' blood and Hamas will receive oxygen and more time to rebuild its capabilities. Spins are no substitute for a decisive victory.”

The sharp internal divisions come as Israel continues to navigate a high-pressure environment marked by hostage diplomacy, international scrutiny, and security challenges across multiple fronts. The Gaza war, which erupted following Hamas’s October 7 attack, has stretched into its tenth month, with over 50 Israeli hostages still unaccounted for.

While the humanitarian toll in Gaza has drawn calls for more civilian aid, Netanyahu’s government remains focused on dismantling Hamas's infrastructure and ensuring that military sacrifices are not undermined by premature concessions.

By rejecting the humanitarian city plan, Netanyahu appears to be signaling a return to core principles maintaining strategic clarity, preserving leverage in hostage talks, and pushing for solutions that balance humanitarian needs with national security imperatives.

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