Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his national security team are reportedly planning a new, larger ground offensive that aims to occupy larger parts of the Gaza Strip, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter.
These alleged plans emerge as Israel has resumed airstrikes on the Palestinian enclave after a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, which ended on March 1. The ceasefire, mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, had led to a partial Israeli withdrawal and a limited prisoner exchange. Since its end, both sides have accused each other of preventing a renewal.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that Israeli troops have already entered the northern Gaza Strip, in areas near Rafah and the central Netzarim Corridor, marking the beginning of a campaign to reoccupy and hold areas that were previously vacated under the ceasefire.
According to the newspaper, Netanyahu’s new advisors advocate a strategy that relies on defeating Hamas on the battlefield and through force, before seeking a political solution to the Gaza conflict.
Last week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that his country will continue to occupy parts of the Gaza Strip as long as Hamas holds prisoners. Other Israeli politicians have suggested destroying the remaining infrastructure of Hamas, including tunnels and weapon stores, even if it takes years and results in further civilian casualties, the WSJ wrote.
Israel’s new approach is reportedly backed by the decree of US President Donald Trump, which increased munitions shipments to Israel and the administration’s encouragement of Netanyahu to “take off the gloves” against Hamas.
As Netanyahu’s office announced the resumption of ground operations in Gaza last week, it stated that Israel will “now proceed with increasing military strength against Hamas”.
The statement also attributed the new offensive to the “refusal” of the Palestinian group to “release prisoners” and its rejection of proposals to extend the ceasefire.
In turn, the Hamas has accused Israel of unilaterally ending the ceasefire, according to Reuters.
The Palestinian authorities have stated that more than 50,000 people have been killed in the 18 months since the conflict began, following a surprise attack by the Palestinian organization across the border on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and took over 250 as hostages.