Bread Lines and Salty Drinking Water: Israeli Aid Block Sets Gaza Back Again
New York TimesMAR 17
Report: Israel Considering Plans to Occupy Gaza
Above: A man reacts standing amid the rubble of a house hit by Israeli bombardment at the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on March 25, 2025. Image copyright: Eyad Baba/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though Israel has a right to defend itself, an indefinite occupation of Gaza is in no one's interest. The Israeli military is exhausted from over a year of war, and a drawn-out occupation will only lead to the deaths of more soldiers for little strategic gain. The only way to end this conflict is through a negotiated settlement like the cease-fire that was agreed to in January.
Pro-Israel narrative
There is only one way to get rid of Hamas and ensure Israel's continued security — reoccupying Gaza. Considering that there are no Palestinian alternatives to Hamas, military rule in Gaza should be implemented to replace the group. This does not mean that an occupation of Gaza would last forever, but Israel's security is dependent on the complete destruction of Hamas, which can only be accomplished via military rule.
Pro-Palestine narrative
This plan is akin to creating a concentration camp in Gaza. Though Israel already treats the Strip like an open-air prison, this plan is unprecedented in its barbarity and cruelty. After over a year of genocide, Israel continues to demonstrate that its primary goal is to starve and exterminate Palestinians in Gaza with the full support of the West.