Media: Israel plans major ground offensive to defeat Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his new national-security team are preparing for a significant ground offensive in Gaza, with the aim of capturing and holding key territories to finally defeat the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Israeli military has already initiated operations, sending infantry into northern Gaza and areas around Rafah in the south, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Troops have also been deployed to the Netzarim corridor, which divides the Palestinian enclave, and Israel has targeted several Hamas political leaders based in Gaza. These actions mark the beginning of a new, more aggressive military approach, with Netanyahu and his newly appointed aides arguing that Hamas must be defeated through military force before any political solution can be considered.

Previously, Israeli defence officials believed that while Hamas could be weakened militarily, it would require the establishment of a new governing authority in Gaza to fully end Hamas's influence. However, Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz, and top general Eyal Zamir now argue that the defeat of Hamas on the battlefield is essential for any long-term resolution.

Katz, in a policy shift announced last week, stated that Israel would gradually seize more territory from Gaza as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages. “Once you win, things will start to sort themselves out,” said Amir Avivi, a former Israeli military commander.

The new approach has sparked significant debate within Israel. Many Israelis, including right-wing voters, support a ceasefire and a deal to bring the remaining hostages back home. They argue that a prolonged ceasefire and reconstruction in Gaza, coupled with stronger regional alliances, would better position Israel to eliminate Hamas in the future.

Despite these calls for a ceasefire, Israel has intensified its pressure on Hamas in recent weeks, restricting supplies and electricity to Gaza while launching waves of airstrikes and ground operations. The conflict, which has raged for over a year, has already resulted in more than 50,000 Palestinian deaths, according to health authorities, with Israel reporting the deaths of 20,000 militants.

However, Hamas has shown resilience, continuing to recruit fighters and preparing for future battles, even as the conflict takes a severe toll on Gaza’s population. Netanyahu’s new team believes that more decisive action could have been taken to weaken Hamas earlier if not for constraints on ammunition and pressure from the Biden administration.

The conflict is causing deep divisions within Israeli society, with protests and calls for a ceasefire growing louder. A poll from the Israel Democracy Institute found that 73 per cent of Israelis supported negotiating a ceasefire with Hamas, while 56 per cent of Netanyahu's Likud party voters favored a ceasefire deal.

As Israel prepares for a potential ground invasion, the nation's military faces a divided populace, making the prospect of mobilizing large numbers of reservists for a new offensive more challenging. Analysts warn that while Israel may ultimately have to return to Gaza, better planning is needed for the next phase of the conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva