Israel plans major offensive to reoccupy Gaza, destroy Hamas MAP

Israel’s military has drafted plans to reoccupy Gaza in an attempt to decisively defeat Hamas and establish long-term control over the enclave.

The proposal, which has not yet been approved by Israel’s security cabinet, was formulated by the newly appointed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff and is backed by far-right Israeli ministers, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

These ministers have long advocated for harsher tactics against Hamas. The plans were made possible by US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, which freed up Israel from the Biden administration’s insistence that it not reoccupy Gaza or annex territory.

“The prior administration wanted us to end the war. Trump wants us to win the war,” a third Israeli official said. “There is a supreme American interest in defeating Hamas as well,” the officials said.

According to sources, the plan involves calling up several combat divisions to re-enter Gaza, subdue Hamas forces, and take control of large sections of the territory. The IDF would then manage Gaza, reoccupying the region nearly two decades after Israel withdrew in 2005. This move would likely force Gaza’s 2.2 million residents into a small "humanitarian zone" along the Mediterranean coast, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The territory would be dependent on food aid, while Israel would control the distribution of this aid to ensure Hamas could not benefit.

The military's plan comes after Israel agreed to a fragile ceasefire earlier this year, which allowed for the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, after the ceasefire, Hamas began to regain control of the Gaza Strip, drawing criticism from Israeli politicians for failing to eliminate the group. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas, following its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of more than 250 hostages.

Despite Israel's military successes, including the dismantling of much of Hamas’s military structure and the killing of key leaders like Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, the inability to fully defeat Hamas has led to growing criticism of the current security leadership. Netanyahu’s allies, including far-right ministers, have demanded a more aggressive approach.

"Israel's goal is to hold territory and destroy Hamas as both a military and governing force," said one senior official. Israeli forces resumed operations last week, breaking the ceasefire with airstrikes that killed over 400 people in Gaza, predominantly women and children. The IDF claims the strikes targeted Hamas military and political figures.

As Israel intensifies its efforts, analysts question whether the military can achieve its ambitious goals in a short timeframe, considering the attrition among its forces. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to its objective of permanently dismantling Hamas’s control over Gaza.

By Vafa Guliyeva