Netanyahu outlined five principles to ensure Israel’s security and end the Gaza war, emphasizing the importance of having a civilian administration that is not affiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority. The Israeli army announced that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has approved a plan to occupy Gaza City. Zamir stressed the importance of raising troop readiness and calling up reserve forces, along with conducting refresher training. A meeting was held between Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and Chief of Staff Zamir to discuss the general principles of the Gaza City occupation plan, despite disagreements over military leadership appointments. Reports indicate disputes between Zamir and the political leadership, with Zamir preferring not to fully occupy the Gaza Strip but to encircle it to pressure Hamas to release prisoners. The army plans to call up between 80,000 and 100,000 reserve soldiers for the potential operation.

Previously, Zamir approved the central idea of re-occupying the entire Gaza Strip, including attacking the Zaytoun area south of the city. The Israeli occupation of Gaza lasted 38 years between 1967 and 2005, and currently about 2.4 million Palestinians live there under siege.