Israel is preparing to escalate its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza City, according to Eyal Zamir, the chief of staff of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). During a visit to troops stationed in the Gaza Strip, Zamir announced that plans for an expanded offensive have received approval from Israel’s Security Cabinet earlier this month. This operation aims to capture Gaza City and key refugee camps, targeting remaining Hamas strongholds in the war-torn territory.
The expanded military plan envisions potentially taking control of the entire Gaza Strip. This could necessitate relocating approximately 1 million Palestinians currently residing in Gaza City to other areas within the territory. Zamir stated, “Soon we will move on to the next phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, in which we will continue to enhance the strikes against Hamas in Gaza City until its decisive defeat.” This operation, which commenced in early May, reflects Israel’s commitment to achieving its military objectives.
Zamir emphasized the IDF’s comprehensive strategy, affirming that the military will deploy all available resources, including land, air, and naval forces, to deliver a decisive blow to Hamas. He conveyed this message through an IDF post on Telegram following a field tour in Gaza on October 15, 2023.
The military chief also highlighted the achievements of earlier operations, asserting, “Hamas no longer possesses the same capabilities it had before the operation; we dealt a severe blow.” He noted that the IDF now carries the “moral duty to bring the hostages home, both alive and fallen.” Following the Islamist Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, militants captured around 250 hostages. Currently, it is estimated that about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive.
The situation in Gaza continues to evolve, with international observers closely monitoring developments. The implications of a broader offensive raise significant humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding the potential displacement of civilians and the ongoing hostilities in the region. As the IDF prepares for this next phase, the global community awaits further updates on the unfolding conflict and its humanitarian impact.
