Israel approves plan to take over Gaza indefinitely

Benjamin Netanyahu says the country is 'on the eve of a forceful entry'

Israeli tanks prepare for Gaza invasion
Over 70% of Israelis oppose a major Gaza operation
(Image credit: Menahem Kahana / AFP via Getty Images)

What happened

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that his security cabinet had agreed to an "intensive" escalation of the 19-month war in Gaza, and his country was "on the eve of a forceful entry" and indefinite occupation to destroy Hamas. The cabinet separately agreed to set up food-distribution "hubs" protected by U.S. contractors, potentially ending a two-month Israeli blockade of all humanitarian assistance into the enclave.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.