Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the IDF to gradually occupy all of Gaza. The Israeli opposition, former hostages, the family members of captives, and the IDF have all come into opposition to Netanyahu’s plan.  

On Thursday, Netanyahu confirmed recent reports that the IDF would scale up operations in Gaza with the goal of occupying the entire Strip. That night, protesters, including two former captives held by Hamas, took to the streets of Jerusalem against the plan to occupy Gaza. 

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also attacked Netanyahu over escalating the war. He said the occupation was “a move that will kill the hostages and many soldiers, will cost Israeli taxpayers tens of billions and will destroy Israel’s diplomatic relations.”

He added, “This is exactly what Hamas wanted: For Israel to end up stuck in Gaza without a goal, in a useless occupation, the point of which no one understands.”

The family members of hostages in Gaza also warned that if Netanyahu went through with the escalation, it would endanger their loved ones. Viki Cohen, the mother of two hostages and the aunt of two others, denounced Netanyahu’s plan. “This government is ruining all of our values. We’re hearing talk about conquering Gaza, that will be a death sentence for our hostages,” she said. 

A Hamas official told Saudi media on Tuesday that if Israel expands military operations in the Strip, most hostages will die. While over 100 captives were freed by prisoner exchanges, efforts to free their hostages with military action have led to the deaths of Israelis. 

Still, Trump appears to have given Netanyahu the green light to occupy all of Gaza. President Trump was asked on Tuesday whether he supported a reported plan for Israel to escalate in Gaza with the goal of fully occupying the Palestinian territory, and said it was “pretty much up to Israel.”