Israel is considering a new military operation in Gaza that could result in its largest civilian displacement since the start of the war, according to defense sources. The move comes as hostage negotiations with Hamas falter and Israeli officials debate whether to press forward militarily or declare victory.
The IDF has achieved significant objectives in Gaza, including destroying Hamas’s military infrastructure, targeting senior commanders, and seizing over half the territory. However, some high-ranking officers believe a wider-scale ground maneuver remains necessary to fully defeat Hamas.
A mass evacuation of Gazans from key areas is being discussed, which could turn public sentiment against Hamas’s leadership if successful. However, urban warfare in heavily fortified neighborhoods would result in significant IDF casualties, requiring deployment of five fully manned divisions and new reserve call-ups.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a high-level discussion with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir to evaluate the next steps in Gaza. The Israeli government is watching Hamas’s response to its current weakened state, which has forced the group to shift its focus from the battlefield to diplomacy.
If negotiations fail to yield breakthroughs, a wider military operation could be imminent. This would mark a significant departure from previous operations, which focused on destroying Hamas’s military capabilities without large-scale ground invasions.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-859319