After reports of the collapse of negotiation efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, which would have included a withdrawal of IDF forces from the Strip, the military and government now face the need to devise an alternative plan. Possible options include military action and the annexation of Gaza lands.
On the ground, the latest offensive has ended. The IDF defeated three Hamas brigades in Rafah and in Khan Younis in the southern part of Gaza and a third in the northern sector, objectives defined by the government.
IDF troops in northern Gaza
(IDF)
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U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thrusday
(Photo: GPO)
The remaining two terror brigades are in the central areas of the Strip, including in Gaza City and the adjoining refugee camps, where Israel believes hostages, both dead and alive, are being held.
The area is home to a million civilians in the city and over half a million in the camps.
Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have been calling for the IDF to those areas, even at the cost of harm to the hostages, favoring the objective of destroying the governing capabilities of Hamas.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir proposed an alternative that includes targeted strikes and a siege that would bring Hamas to its knees. This is not expected to end in a decisive military victory, but could prevent an end to the war and may pressure the terror group to return to negotiations.
The IDF has begun reducing troop deployment in Gaza to allow the military units time to rest and prepare for the next stage in the war. There are currently the lowest number of soldiers deployed in the Strip since the last ceasefire agreement was in effect.
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The government was considering among its options an offer to end the war and withdraw troops from Gaza in exchange for the release of all 50 hostages still held by the terrorists.
A senior official told reporters in a briefing on Thursday that Israel and the United States agreed that there must be no more partial deals with Hamas and that only the release of all of the hostages, the disarming of Hamas and the demilitarizing of the Strip.
Senior security officials do not discount the strategic advantages of this position, including its humanitarian aspect and as a means to force Hamas to show its true hand, while securing legitimacy for later attacks on Gaza if those are necessary.
Yossi YehushuaIf Israel's proposal to end the war with the release of all Israeli captives is rejected, it would have broad international support for renewed fighting that would be seen as justified and necessary to bring the hostages home.