On November 22, 2025, the flames of war reignited in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes on multiple targets, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 Palestinians and injuries to 83 others. By this time, more than a month had passed since the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10.
01 The “Yellow Line” as a Boundary: Asymmetric Conflict Under the Ceasefire Agreement
After the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect, the Israeli Defense Forces withdrew behind the so-called “Yellow Line.” This boundary, marked by yellow paint on concrete blocks, divides the Gaza Strip into Israeli-controlled areas and Hamas-controlled areas.
However, this line has not brought genuine peace. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, stated: “Hamas tests our bottom line every day.” Since the ceasefire took effect, the Israeli military has reported hundreds of incidents of Hamas violating the ceasefire agreement.
In practice, the “Yellow Line” mechanism exhibits clear asymmetry. The Israeli military possesses the authority to freely cross the “Yellow Line” for military operations, while Palestinians approaching this boundary may face lethal danger.
On November 24, the Israeli military killed three armed individuals in the southern Gaza Strip, citing that they had “crossed the Yellow Line” and “posed a direct threat.” Similar incidents occur almost daily.
02 Strategic Advance: The “Salami Slicing” Occupation Strategy
Israel’s occupation of Gaza is not happening overnight but through a gradual “salami slicing” strategy.
In August 2025, Israel’s Security Cabinet approved Netanyahu’s plan to “defeat Hamas,” preparing the military to take control of Gaza City. This plan marked a significant shift in Israel’s strategy towards Gaza—from short-term military operations to long-term occupation.
Sun Degang, Director of the Middle East Studies Center at Fudan University, analyzed that the Netanyahu government, under internal and external pressure, shifted from a comprehensive occupation of Gaza to a phased takeover, accumulating small steps into major advances. This strategy allows Israel to test the limits of international reaction while avoiding excessive costs at once.
By August 24, the Israeli military had successfully expanded its operational scope to more areas on the outskirts of Gaza City. The 401st Brigade of the 162nd Division returned to the Jabalia area near Gaza City to conduct operations, strengthening control over the region and systematically dismantling Hamas’s above-ground and underground infrastructure.
03 Strategic Motivations: Three Considerations Driving the Occupation Policy
Israel’s continued advancement of its strategy to occupy Gaza is driven by profound political and strategic considerations.
Sustaining Netanyahu’s political life is one key factor. Israel is a parliamentary system, and the Likud party relies on a coalition with right-wing parties to maintain the ruling government. Without adopting a policy of incremental encroachment on Gaza to satisfy the demands of the right-wing parties in the ruling coalition, the unity government would risk collapse, and Netanyahu himself could face judicial proceedings.
Preventing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is also an important strategic objective for Israel. From 2024 to 2025, a wave of countries recognized Palestinian statehood. The Netanyahu government’s phased takeover of Gaza and encroachment on land in the West Bank aim to preempt international action by undermining the territorial basis for a Palestinian state.
Furthermore, the practice of “seeking security through strength” also drives Israel’s actions. Following Hamas’s “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation in October 2023, the Netanyahu government firmly believes in “seeking security through strength,” convinced that only the elimination of enemies can ensure true security.
04 The Special U.S.-Israel Relationship: External Support for the Occupation Strategy
American support is a crucial backing for Israel’s determination to carry out a phased takeover of Gaza. Since the Trump administration returned to power, the special U.S.-Israel relationship has further strengthened.
In June 2025, after conflict erupted between Israel and Iran, the United States deployed B-2 bombers to carry out precision strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities. This strategic support bolstered Israel’s confidence in changing the status quo in Gaza.
Trump himself made controversial statements such as “emptying Gaza” and “occupying Gaza,” showing support for Israel. Regarding Netanyahu’s concept of a “comprehensive occupation of Gaza,” Trump was vague, emphasizing that it was Israel’s own affair. The ambiguous U.S. policy on Gaza strengthened Israel’s resolve to completely eradicate Hamas.
American practical support has made Israel more emboldened. Israel shut down aid stations run by the United Nations and other non-governmental organizations in the Gaza Strip, retaining only the U.S.-based “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.”
05 International Response and Legal Dilemmas
Israel’s occupation plan faces complex international reactions and legal challenges.
In November 2025, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2803, endorsing the U.S.-proposed “20-point plan” to end the conflict in Gaza and authorizing the formation of an international stabilization force for Gaza. However, this resolution has been criticized as a trick to “outsource the occupation.”
The resolution authorizes Israel and Egypt to determine the composition of the so-called international stabilization force, responsible for overseeing the disarmament of Hamas, training a new Palestinian police force, and ensuring the demilitarization of the area. This arrangement effectively legitimizes and internationalizes Israel’s occupation.
On May 1, Norway stated at the International Court of Justice that Israel is obligated not to impede the exercise by the Palestinian people of their right to self-determination, including the right to establish an independent and sovereign state. Norway also emphasized that Israel must preserve the territorial integrity of the Palestinian territories and avoid measures aimed at dispersing the population and undermining their integrity as a people.
06 Resistance and Negotiations: Hamas’s Dilemma
Faced with Israel’s continued advances, Hamas finds itself in a clear predicament.
On November 23, a Hamas leadership delegation held talks in Cairo with an Egyptian delegation to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip, progress on the ceasefire, and arrangements for the second phase of the truce. The Hamas delegation was led by Mohammad al-Darwish, Chairman of the Hamas Consultative Council.
Hamas reiterated its commitment to implementing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and emphasized the need to stop Israel’s continuous violations of the agreement. They argued that the ceasefire mediators should lead the establishment of a clear and specific mechanism allowing any violations to be reported to the mediators.
Simultaneously, Hamas also faces a thorny issue—it has lost contact with militants remaining in the tunnels in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. These trapped remnants of Hamas have become an important bargaining chip in the ceasefire negotiations.
07 Future Direction: The Practical Dilemmas of Full Occupation
Despite Israel’s continued advancement of its occupation plan, a full occupation of Gaza still faces multiple challenges.
The humanitarian crisis will intensify as the occupation deepens. Since the outbreak of a new round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in October 2023, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have caused a large number of casualties. If Israel fully occupies Gaza, the humanitarian crisis will worsen further.
Financial and security burdens are also issues Israel must consider. Israel’s opposition parties, military, and intelligence agencies all oppose annexing Gaza, believing that clearing Hamas and building Jewish settlements in Gaza City would place a heavy financial and moral burden on Israel.
Additionally, the plan for an independent Palestinian state will gain more international support. Over the past 22 months, although Israel has gained advantages on the battlefield, its soft power has been severely damaged, and its international image has suffered. In the Western world, forces opposing Israel and sympathizing with Palestine are on the rise.
The fate of Gaza seems to have been determined in Israel’s strategic planning – gradual occupation through a “salami-slicing” strategy. However, this strategy faces multiple challenges from Hamas resistance, international pressure, and internal political contradictions. From daily friction along the “Yellow Line” to fierce negotiations and legal battles at the International Court, the conflict in Gaza has evolved into a multi-dimensional持久战. As The Jerusalem Post pointed out, Israel’s full occupation of Gaza would ignite the resistance consciousness of the Gaza people, potentially trapping Israel in an endless war of attrition. History tells us that “absolute security often leads to absolute insecurity.”
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