Cabinet reportedly weighing multiple paths on Gaza, including full occupation

Israel’s cabinet is considering a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip, alongside a tightened siege on certain city centers within the territory, reports Channel 12 news.

On the agenda for discussion in tonight’s limited security cabinet meeting are the possibility of conquering the Strip or imposing a siege on cities where Hamas is active, according to the TV network.

A siege would mean halting the entry of aid, shortly after Israel announced it would dramatically increase access to aid in the Strip. Officials are also reportedly considering cutting off electricity to the Strip.

If carried out, the plan would mean that IDF troops would operate in areas where hostages are believed to be held – a move largely avoided by Israel until now. The IDF recently claimed it already holds control over some 75 percent of the Gaza Strip.

Regarding talks for a truce with Hamas, a senior security official tells the network: “The US needs to put a gun on the table and force Qatar to choose between Hamas’s interests and its own. The US is the only actor that can bring Hamas back to the negotiating table. If it doesn’t act, the situation will remain unchanged.”

Hamas has said that it remains interested in negotiating a deal. The terror group denies claims by Israel and the US — which the two countries cited as the reason for pulling their teams from Doha last week — that they are being unserious in the talks.