Israel considers annexing parts of Gaza if Hamas rejects the ceasefire again

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a proposal to annex parts of the Gaza Strip to the security cabinet, according to Israeli media outlet Haaretz on Monday.

Citing a senior Israeli official who was not identified, the outlet stated that the plan envisions Israel issuing an ultimatum to the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas if it again rejects a ceasefire and refuses to release the hostages.

If it doesn't comply, annexation of areas of the enclave would begin until the surrender of the Islamic terrorist group is achieved. The report also indicates that the plan has already received the green light from the circle of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The report did not specify which areas of the Gaza Strip would be the focus of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), although it is presumed these would be areas where hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas.

So far, Israel has largely avoided operations in those sectors. Currently, according to recent statements from the IDF, they already control approximately 75% of the territory of Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli news channel "Channel 12" reported that the cabinet is evaluating a possible full military occupation of Gaza, accompanied by a tighter siege on certain urban centers within the enclave.

The network stated that the potential total occupation was one of the topics discussed at Monday's cabinet meeting, although it did not specify whether a final decision was reached on the matter.

Regarding negotiations for a ceasefire with Hamas, a senior security official told Channel 12 that "The United States must put its weapons on the table and force Qatar to choose between Hamas's interests and its own. The United States is the only actor that can bring Hamas back to the negotiating table. If it doesn't act, the situation will not change."

This way, Israel would move forward with the annexation of sectors of the Gaza Strip if Hamas again rejects the proposals presented by mediators to achieve a ceasefire and the release of hostages.