Israel has greenlit a plan to significantly escalate military operations against Hamas, with the intention of capturing and holding all of Gaza, according to officials on Monday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security minister approved this war strategy in a vote early in the morning, just after military leaders announced that tens of thousands of reserve soldiers would be mobilized to combat terrorist organizations.
The strategy is incremental, taking several months, and aims for a decisive strike against Hamas. Israel has been intensifying its pressure on the group since a key ceasefire discussion failed in mid-March.
Israeli IDF Chief of Staff General Eyal Zamir indicated on Sunday that operations would be increased in the Palestinian enclave, igniting discussions around the new plan, as reported by Israeli public broadcaster Kan.
“This week, we are issuing tens of thousands of orders for reserves to bolster and expand our operations in Gaza,” Zamir stated.
“Our aim is to amplify pressure to bring about changes and to defeat Hamas. We will operate in more areas and dismantle all infrastructure, whether above or below ground.”
The new military plan could potentially allow space for negotiations regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages before President Trump’s visit to the area next week, noted Security Minister Seef Elkin.
“If Hamas recognizes our seriousness, there remains a chance for negotiations until the completion of President Trump’s visit to the Middle East,” Elkin commented.
Israel, which already manages about a third of Gaza’s territory, resumed ground operations in March, following the end of a US-brokered ceasefire that had paused hostilities for two months.
Subsequently, Israel imposed a complete blockade on aid to the region.
Elkin emphasized that Israeli forces intend to maintain control over any areas they capture instead of attacking and then withdrawing.
With post wire
