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Israel prepares fresh Gaza invasion
(MENAFN) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his national security team are reportedly planning a large-scale ground invasion to seize significant areas of Gaza, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The renewed military push follows Israel’s recent airstrikes on Gaza after a temporary ceasefire with Hamas expired on March 1. The truce, brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, had led to a partial Israeli withdrawal and limited hostage releases. However, both sides have since blamed each other for the failure to extend the agreement.
According to WSJ, Israeli troops have already advanced into northern Gaza, the Netzarim corridor, and areas near Rafah, marking the start of a broader effort to reclaim territory previously vacated under the ceasefire. Netanyahu’s new advisers are reportedly advocating a military-first strategy—defeating Hamas on the battlefield before pursuing any political resolution to the conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recently stated that Israel will continue capturing Gaza territory as long as Hamas holds hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have also pushed for the complete destruction of Hamas’ remaining military infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons stockpiles, even if the campaign takes years and results in further civilian casualties, WSJ noted.
Israel’s escalated approach is reportedly being influenced by US President Donald Trump’s decision to accelerate ammunition shipments and his administration’s encouragement for Netanyahu to take a more aggressive stance against Hamas.
Last week, Netanyahu’s office declared that Israel would now act with “increasing military strength” against Hamas. The renewed offensive, according to Israeli officials, is a response to Hamas’ refusal to release hostages and its rejection of proposed ceasefire extensions.
Hamas, however, has accused Israel of unilaterally ending the ceasefire, Reuters reported.
Palestinian authorities claimed on Sunday that more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict reignited around 18 months ago.
The war between Israel and Hamas erupted after the Palestinian group launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
The renewed military push follows Israel’s recent airstrikes on Gaza after a temporary ceasefire with Hamas expired on March 1. The truce, brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, had led to a partial Israeli withdrawal and limited hostage releases. However, both sides have since blamed each other for the failure to extend the agreement.
According to WSJ, Israeli troops have already advanced into northern Gaza, the Netzarim corridor, and areas near Rafah, marking the start of a broader effort to reclaim territory previously vacated under the ceasefire. Netanyahu’s new advisers are reportedly advocating a military-first strategy—defeating Hamas on the battlefield before pursuing any political resolution to the conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recently stated that Israel will continue capturing Gaza territory as long as Hamas holds hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have also pushed for the complete destruction of Hamas’ remaining military infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons stockpiles, even if the campaign takes years and results in further civilian casualties, WSJ noted.
Israel’s escalated approach is reportedly being influenced by US President Donald Trump’s decision to accelerate ammunition shipments and his administration’s encouragement for Netanyahu to take a more aggressive stance against Hamas.
Last week, Netanyahu’s office declared that Israel would now act with “increasing military strength” against Hamas. The renewed offensive, according to Israeli officials, is a response to Hamas’ refusal to release hostages and its rejection of proposed ceasefire extensions.
Hamas, however, has accused Israel of unilaterally ending the ceasefire, Reuters reported.
Palestinian authorities claimed on Sunday that more than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict reignited around 18 months ago.
The war between Israel and Hamas erupted after the Palestinian group launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
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