Netanyahu announces his intention to occupy all of Gaza, including areas where hostages are held.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called a security cabinet meeting today with the intention of "going for the total occupation of the Gaza Strip," as reported by a senior official in a meeting with the Israeli press, and as confirmed to EFE by sources in the Prime Minister's office.

"The Prime Minister will convene a security debate tomorrow (today) regarding the continued fighting and its expansion into areas where hostages are feared. Security forces oppose the maneuvers in places where hostages are being held, for fear of harming them," according to a statement obtained by EFE.

During the meeting with the Israeli press, Netanyahu's spokesman stated: "The die is cast: we will completely occupy the Gaza Strip," according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

"There will be operations even in the areas where the hostages are being held. If the Chief of Staff doesn't agree, he should resign," he said, referring to Army Chief Eyal Zamir, in light of the security establishment's opposition to this measure.

Sources close to the government told EFE that the meeting, scheduled for this Tuesday, of the security cabinet, which decides the course of the offensive in Gaza and is made up of government members from relevant ministries and other senior security officials, has not yet been finalized.

Already on Monday afternoon, just before the announcement, the local press reported that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had canceled his scheduled visit to the United States.

After the president's intentions were revealed, the Army responded with a statement announcing the cancellation of the extension of service for regular ground troops, which had been in effect until 2025.

"It has been decided to give the soldiers some breathing room," the statement said, "in light of the intense fighting in various sectors of the armed forces over the past two years."

"The decisions were made by the Chief of Staff, concerned about the quality of service of the combatants and the strengthening of their rights, in light of their contribution to the Israel Defense Forces and the State of Israel," the statement said.

According to The Times of Israel, the armed forces' opposition stems from concerns that Palestinian militias in Gaza will execute hostages as troops advance (as happened in late August 2024 with six captives found on September 1).

They also believe that destroying the Hamas network could take years.