The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a major escalation in its ongoing campaign against Hamas, revealing a plan to capture 75% of the Gaza Strip’s territory within the next two months. The renewed offensive follows the end of a two-month ceasefire, with IDF operations resuming in March and intensifying in recent weeks.
According to military officials, the upcoming ground offensive will see tens of thousands of Israeli troops deployed, aiming to dismantle Hamas’s military wing and civil administration in Gaza. Should Hamas refuse to release remaining hostages, the offensive will move forward with the intention of seizing significant portions of the territory.
As part of this strategy, the Palestinian population will be concentrated into three small zones: the Mawasi coastal area in southern Gaza (designated as a new “safer zone”), a section in central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat, and the center of Gaza City. Current estimates suggest approximately 700,000 Palestinians are in Mawasi, 300,000 to 350,000 in central Gaza, and about one million in Gaza City. Ultimately, this would confine Gaza’s two million residents to just 25% of the enclave, while the IDF captures the remainder—including Rafah, Khan Younis, and areas north of Gaza City.
Military sources indicate the focus has shifted from eliminating individual militants to securing territory and destroying Hamas infrastructure. The IDF reports having already destroyed the majority of Hamas’s key attack tunnels and command centers, though only about a quarter of the estimated 900 kilometers of tunnel networks have been fully dismantled.
The broader goal, officials state, is not only to dismantle Hamas militarily but also to disrupt its ability to govern and control humanitarian aid entering Gaza. This, they argue, is essential for the eventual release of the 58 remaining hostages, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Despite the scale of the operation, questions remain about governance in Gaza following any potential defeat of Hamas. No formal decisions have been made regarding who would take control “the day after.”
During a recent visit to Gaza, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasized that the campaign is not without end. “We are intensifying our activity in accordance with the orderly plan. Hamas is under tremendous pressure; it has lost most of its assets and its command and control,” Zamir stated.
Glide News will continue to provide updates as this story develops.
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