Israel plans to expand its ground operation in Gaza over the next two to three weeks, aiming to occupy 25% of the enclave. The move is part of a “maximum pressure” campaign to force Hamas to agree to release more hostages. However, critics warn that reoccupation could serve as a pretext for pressuring Palestinians to leave Gaza.
The operation has already begun, forcing the displacement of Palestinian civilians who returned to their homes after the ceasefire in January. If no new hostage-release and ceasefire deal is reached, the ground operation could expand, leading to the reoccupation of most of the enclave and the displacement of 2 million Palestinians.
Some Israeli officials believe reoccupation is necessary to defeat Hamas and implement the government’s plan for “voluntary departure” of Palestinians from Gaza. Others argue that it would leave Israel responsible for two million Palestinians in an indefinite occupation.
The conflict escalated on March 17 with a series of massive airstrikes against alleged Hamas targets, killing over 400 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Since then, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, and over 50,000 since the October terror attacks.
Evacuation orders were issued to Palestinians in Rafah city, which was largely destroyed during Israel’s previous ground operation. The Israeli Defense Forces plan to broaden the buffer zone controlled by the IDF near the border with Israel.
Negotiations over a new ceasefire deal have stalled, with Hamas rejecting an offer that included the release of hostages in return for a 40-day ceasefire. Israel now demands the release of 11 living hostages and the release of 16 bodies of dead hostages on day 10. The US has proposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire in exchange for hostage releases, but Hamas has refused to accept it.
The situation remains tense as the first phase of the hostage-release and ceasefire deal ended on Saturday without a new agreement being reached.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/03/31/israel-reoccupy-gaza-hamas-hostages