Cabinet approves Gaza City occupation plan as Netanyahu escalates conflict

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee recently deferred to Israel’s government about whether to take over Gaza.

“It’s not our job to tell them what they should or should not do,” Huckabee told CBS News in an interview yesterday. “Certainly, if they ask for wisdom, counsel, advice, I’m sure the president would offer it. But ultimately, it’s the decision that the Israelis and only the Israelis can make.”

Asked about the families of hostages who oppose an expansion into Gaza, including one family that said it would be a “death sentence,” Huckabee said: “Families have different views of what should be done, what could be done.”

On Monday, officials from Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that he had decided to “occupy all of the Gaza Strip, including areas where hostages may be held.” The plan announced Friday stops short of a full occupation.