”It is necessary to complete the enemy's defeat in Gaza to secure the release of the hostages and ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel”, said Netanyahu during a visit to one of the army's training facilities on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister met with Defense Minister Israel Katz and the head of the Israeli military (IDF), Eyal Zamir, on Tuesday, in a three-hour meeting, reports Haaretz. Zamir is said to have presented several plans to gradually expand the military operation in Gaza.
Controls three-quarters
The Israeli military currently controls about 75 percent of Gaza. Under the new plan, the military would take over the last quarter as well. Exactly what this would mean for the more than two million Palestinians living in Gaza, as well as for aid organizations that want to operate there, is unclear.
The military has repeatedly warned that such a strategy, including expanded ground operations, could worsen the situation for the Hamas-held hostages who are still alive. Additionally, there are warnings of destabilizing consequences in the region, according to the media.
But Netanyahu is said to have hinted that the Chief of Staff Zamir should resign if he does not sign off on the plans, reports The Times of Israel.
Gathers security cabinet
Netanyahu said on Monday that he would gather the security cabinet later in the week for approval of new instructions.
”Several cabinet members who have spoken to the Prime Minister confirm that he has decided to expand the fighting to areas where the hostages may be held”, reports the Israeli public service channel Kan.
Terror-listed Hamas, which rules in Gaza and whose attack on Israel in October 2023 triggered the ongoing war, is said to have dismissed reports of Netanyahu's Gaza plans as ”repetitive, worthless and something that does not affect our decisions”, according to The Jerusalem Post.
