Netanyahu Considers New Military Operation in Gaza Amidst Rising Tensions

Israeli media reports suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is contemplating a new military operation aimed at fully occupying the Gaza Strip and potentially annexing parts of the territory. While no official announcement has been made, insiders from Netanyahu's team have communicated with various Israeli newspapers about the details, stirring discussions across the nation. This plan is still pending approval from Israel's war cabinet, comprising key government figures and military leaders responsible for wartime decisions, and it must also receive endorsement from the United States. The Israeli government would likely find it challenging to undertake such an extensive campaign without U.S. support. Some analysts have suggested that these intentions may merely serve as a negotiating tactic to compel Hamas towards concessions. Despite these intentions, a recent analysis by the Times of Israel indicates that Israel currently lacks the manpower and necessary resources to facilitate a complete occupation and would require a new mobilization effort. Presently, Israel occupies approximately 75 percent of the Gaza Strip. Should it advance to a complete occupation, the repercussions for the Palestinian civilian population could be dire, as the Israeli army would need to engage in combat in previously untouched areas where many families have sought refuge from the conflict. The risks for Israeli hostages in those zones could also escalate dramatically, posing threats from both Israeli airstrikes and potential actions by their captors. A protest by families of these hostages recently took place in Tel Aviv, underscoring the emotional weight of the hostage situation amid ongoing military discussions. Public sentiment in Israel appears largely opposed to an expanded military operation in Gaza. Military and intelligence leaders, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, have expressed a preference for reaching a ceasefire that would entail securing the release of all hostages and halting military operations. Despite historically supporting hardline measures, Zamir has shifted towards advocating for negotiations, recognizing the necessity for resolution. Given this backdrop, one governmental source revealed to the press that if Chief of Staff Zamir disagrees with the alleged occupation plans, he could opt to resign, highlighting the potential tensions within the military leadership regarding the proposed course of action. Polling data indicates that for months, over 70 percent of Israelis are in favor of concluding the conflict with an agreement that prioritizes hostages' release. This growing consensus reflects a widespread sentiment of dissatisfaction towards the ongoing military campaign amid increased frustrations regarding its goals and implications on both sides of the conflict. The New York Times has noted that Netanyahu had a potential opportunity to conclude the war last month when his diplomatic successes in the Middle East were bolstering his reputation. Instead of pursuing a negotiated settlement with Hamas that could have resulted in hostage release, Israel chose to withdraw from talks. Recently, both Israel and the United States have signaled that they are stepping back from negotiating temporary ceasefires, insisting instead on a comprehensive resolution that requires the release of all hostages alongside the unconditional surrender of Hamas. These stipulations present significant challenges for any forthcoming negotiations, as achieving these objectives would demand extensive negotiations under increasingly strained conditions. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2