Jerusalem, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for a significant military escalation in Gaza, following the approval of an extended military operation aimed at subduing Hamas and ensuring the release of hostages. Netanyahu’s comments came after a vote from his security cabinet that publicly outlined intentions to displace Gaza’s population to the south as part of a broader strategy to conquer the territory.
In a video message shared on Monday, Netanyahu emphasized the seriousness of the country’s military objectives. “One thing will be clear: there will be no in-and-out,” he declared, indicating that the army’s presence will be enduring rather than temporary. The military aims to hold territory as operations intensify, a shift from previous tactics of brief incursions.
The operation, termed “Gideon’s Chariots,” received unanimous backing from Israel’s security leaders. According to a senior military official, the initiative is designed not only to defeat Hamas but also to secure the release of all hostages held by the group. The start of this operation is tentatively scheduled to coincide with the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to the Middle East, providing a potential diplomatic window for a hostage agreement.
Should negotiations fail, the military will pursue its objectives without hesitation. This entails relocating Gaza’s entire population to the south, possibly lifting the blockade on humanitarian aid that has persisted for weeks. A military official noted that, under any circumstances, Israel would retain control over a security buffer zone around Gaza.
Netanyahu also highlighted the imperative of returning hostages, aligning with comments from Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the military’s top spokesman. However, Defrin’s statement faced backlash from other officials, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who asserted that military goals should not be dictated by political considerations.
Families of hostages have expressed concern over the government’s prioritization of military objectives over securing their loved ones’ release. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, compounded by Israel’s ongoing blockade, raises alarms among international organizations regarding the potential for further civilian casualties.
As discussions continue around resuming humanitarian aid to Gaza, some Israeli government members oppose any easing of the blockade. Disagreements surfaced during a cabinet meeting, with military leaders arguing that international law obligates Israel to facilitate aid. This tension highlights the complexities of balancing military actions with humanitarian needs.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials are exploring methods to deliver aid that bypasses Hamas while ensuring it reaches civilians in need. A potential framework is being developed in collaboration with international agencies to manage the aid flow, with expectations that an announcement will come soon.
However, humanitarian groups have voiced skepticism about the planned aid delivery mechanism, asserting that it could undermine the fundamental principles of impartiality and neutrality in aid distribution. They caution that such frameworks may fail to assist those most vulnerable in Gaza.
As military operations expand, global concerns mount over the humanitarian impact on civilians still caught in the conflict’s crossfire. The campaign will evolve gradually in hopes of allowing a renewed ceasefire or hostage-release negotiations prior to crucial diplomatic visits scheduled for the weeks ahead.