JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that Israel intends to take "full security control" over the Gaza Strip following the conclusion of its current military operations. The statement, made ahead of a security cabinet meeting, signals a significant shift in Israel's long-term strategy for the besieged enclave but was met with immediate and stark warnings from the United Nations about the potential for "catastrophic consequences."

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Netanyahu clarified that the objective was to ensure Gaza could no longer be used as a base for attacks against Israel. "We must have full security control, with the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) able to enter Gaza whenever we want to eliminate terrorists," he stated. However, he added that Israel does "not want to keep it" or govern the territory's civilian population permanently, drawing a distinction between indefinite security oversight and a full-scale reoccupation.

The announcement formalizes a strategy that has been debated within Israel's leadership for weeks, as the military seeks to dismantle what it says are the remaining operational capabilities of Hamas.

A Looming Humanitarian Crisis

The plan, as reported by Israeli media outlets citing security sources, would involve a new phase of the conflict that could see up to one million displaced Palestinians in northern and central Gaza pushed further south. This potential mass relocation has raised alarm bells for international aid organizations already struggling to cope with a spiraling humanitarian disaster.

The United Nations was swift to respond to the prime minister's declaration. A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General warned that such a move would compound the suffering of a population already facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. "Any further mass displacement of civilians risks catastrophic consequences," the spokesperson said in a statement. "International humanitarian law must be respected by all parties. Civilians must be protected, and their essential needs must be met."

Aid agencies on the ground have repeatedly warned that infrastructure in southern Gaza, particularly around Rafah, is completely overwhelmed and cannot support a new influx of displaced people.

Strategic Goals and International Reaction

The Israeli government's primary stated goal is the complete destruction of Hamas's military and governing structures in Gaza. Officials argue that only a sustained Israeli security presence can prevent the group from reconstituting itself in the future. The security cabinet was expected to deliberate on the operational specifics and timeline for establishing this control, which would likely involve creating buffer zones and maintaining the right to conduct raids.

The international community, including key allies of Israel, has previously cautioned against a long-term reoccupation of Gaza, citing the immense human and financial costs and the potential for a protracted insurgency. Washington has advocated for a post-war plan that involves a revitalized Palestinian Authority governing both the West Bank and Gaza, a vision that has so far been rejected by Mr. Netanyahu's government.

The latest announcement places Israel on a potential collision course with its international partners and humanitarian bodies. The coming days will be critical in determining whether Israel proceeds with its plan as announced and how the international community will respond to the deepening crisis for Gaza's 2.3 million residents. The future governance of the strip and the fate of its civilian population remain profoundly uncertain.