WP: Israel's military plans intensified combat if ceasefire not extended

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have devised several plans to resume military operations in the Gaza Strip if the current ceasefire is not extended. 

According to The Washington Post, Israeli officials revealed that the new plan involves "more intensive combat operations" with a particular focus on ensuring that humanitarian aid does not fall into the hands of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in control of Gaza, Caliber.Az reports.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered the IDF to explore the possibility of taking control over and distributing humanitarian aid entering the enclave. However, Katz's predecessor, Yoav Gallant, resisted the idea due to operational and legal concerns regarding such an action.

Despite Israel's plans for a potential escalation, Ibrahim Madhoun, a Gaza-based expert with close ties to Hamas, emphasized that Hamas does not want to resume hostilities. "The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is very difficult, and people are living in inhumane conditions. Every decision made is with extreme caution to preserve the remaining life and dignity of the people," Madhoun stated. He added that Hamas' priority is to "protect the Palestinian people and alleviate their suffering."

Meanwhile, Daniel Shapiro, a former US ambassador to Israel and a senior official at the State Department and Pentagon, discussed the broader geopolitical context, highlighting the Arab states’ efforts to propose an alternative plan for Gaza's reconstruction. This initiative came in response to former President Trump's suggestion that the U.S. should take over Gaza, a proposal Shapiro labelled "unserious." 

However, Shapiro noted that the Arab proposal does not address critical issues, particularly whether Hamas will disarm or what role it will continue to play in Gaza’s political future. "I don't think Hamas yet feels they have to give up the weapons and tunnels, which of course they will have to do," Shapiro said. He also pointed out that the Arab proposal does not seem to adequately deal with the necessary demilitarization of Gaza or the creation of a Palestinian technocratic government that would prevent Hamas from remaining a shadow power in the region, similar to Hezbollah's role in Lebanon.

On February 26, Arab mediators involved in the Hamas-Israel negotiations informed The Wall Street Journal that Hamas is regrouping its forces in Gaza in anticipation of renewed conflict with Israel. The sources indicated concerns that Israel and Hamas may not reach an agreement on extending the ceasefire. In light of these concerns, Palestinians have reportedly started rebuilding their underground tunnel network, planning new firepoints, and training additional fighters for potential guerrilla warfare against the Israeli military.

By Tamilla Hasanova