The plan for "maximum pressure" has been developed by Israel in recent weeks, according to the state-owned public service channel Kan.
The next step in the plan is reportedly to forcibly relocate Palestinians from northern to southern Gaza Strip once again. If deemed "necessary", Israel threatens to cut off all electricity to Gaza's population.
The final measure in the Israeli plan is to resume full-scale warfare against Hamas, now with the heavy bombs recently approved for sale to Israel by the US government. The Trump administration bypassed Congress and promised over 35,000 heavy bombs and 4,000 warheads to Israel – arms deliveries that the Biden administration had previously partially halted due to concerns for the civilian population in Gaza, reports The Times of Israel.
Over the weekend, Israel announced that it would stop aid deliveries to Gaza, in response to Hamas' refusal to accept an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire, which was set to expire on Saturday. Hours later, reports emerged of Israeli shelling in southern and northern Gaza Strip.
Israel's decision to block aid deliveries has been met with sharp criticism from several quarters, including the UN, EU, and neighboring countries in the Middle East.
While Israel temporarily wants to extend the first phase, Hamas insists on reaching an agreement on a second phase, as originally stipulated in the ceasefire agreement between the parties. A second phase would entail a more permanent and profound ceasefire, compared to the more preliminary measures of the first phase.
