Israel is reportedly planning a new phase of its military operation in Gaza, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots 2,” prompting Hamas to condemn the move as a disregard for ceasefire efforts and a sign of an imminent invasion.
Channel 12 in Israel reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to go to the southern region today to approve a plan to occupy Gaza City. The Israeli army has reportedly recalled approximately 60,000 reserve soldiers to begin the first phase of this plan, which it has named “Gideon’s Chariots 2.”
Netanyahu’s office stated that he has reduced the timeframe for “controlling Hamas strongholds” and “defeating it.”
A senior military official told the New York Times that the army will conduct a “gradual, precise, and targeted operation” in and around Gaza City. The official added that the attack aims to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping and planning future attacks and will extend to parts of the city that Israeli soldiers have not previously attacked or occupied.
Tensions in Israel
Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes, will hold consultations at the Southern Command headquarters with the Chief of Staff and several ministers to approve the final plans for the occupation of Gaza City.
Yedioth Ahronoth noted a tension between the army and the political leadership over the name of the operation, which the newspaper considered an “indication from the Chief of Staff that this is not the major operation approved by the government.”
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According to Israeli radio, the army began recalling 60,000 reserve soldiers on Wednesday, who will join the 70,000 soldiers and officers recalled two weeks ago as part of the preparations for this operation.
Incursion into Zaytoun
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli army announced the first steps of its “Gaza City control” operation. A spokesperson for the Israeli army said, “We have already begun the initial operations and the first steps of the attack on Gaza City.” He added that Israeli forces “are already in control of the suburbs of Gaza City” and will deepen the attack on the strongholds of the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Israeli forces continued their incursion into the Zaytoun neighborhood for the 11th consecutive day, with ongoing aerial and artillery bombardment.
Gaza’s Civil Defense reported that Israeli forces have destroyed more than 450 homes and buildings in Zaytoun over the past few days. Medical sources in Gaza hospitals documented that at least 81 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday, including 30 who were waiting for aid.
Hamas Condemns the Move
In response, Hamas condemned the Israeli army’s announcement of “Gideon’s Chariots 2” as an “indulgence in a genocide war that has been going on for more than 22 months.”
In a statement, Hamas said that the new Israeli aggression “shows a disregard for the efforts of mediators to reach a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange.” The statement accused Netanyahu of ignoring the mediators’ proposal and “proving that he is the one obstructing any agreement, and that he is not serious about bringing back his prisoners.”
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Hamas vowed that this military operation “will fail just as its predecessors failed and will not achieve its goals,” and that the “occupation of Gaza will not be a picnic.”
The Palestinian Jihad movement also stated that the approval of the plan to occupy Gaza City proves that the “enemy is obstructing every possibility of a ceasefire in Gaza.” They stressed that the only way for Israel to secure the release of its prisoners is through a ceasefire, withdrawal, and a prisoner exchange deal.
(PC, AJA, Israeli Media)
Sounds like Retired U.S. Army general David Petraeus: “Clear, Hold, Build”. When David was busy bounce up & down with a US “journalist” while she “pumped” for questionable intelligence to spice up her “journalism”, David creates and failed in Iraq. Recently, the disgraced ex-General now suggests the “IDF” to “Don’t hold, move on.” Next: “Give up & admit failure” The same old bromides – for 680 days – and the “IDF” are going nowhere, while losing troops.