“Haaretz”: Israeli Preparations to Expand Fighting and Impose Military Rule on Gaza

The Hebrew newspaper “Haaretz” confirmed that Israel is preparing to implement the large-scale plan of the new Chief of Staff, Aviv Kochavi, which involves a broad ground assault on the Gaza Strip, through the mobilization of several brigades, including many reserve units, ultimately aiming to impose military rule over Gaza or parts of it.

In an article published by military analyst Amos Harel, the newspaper highlighted that the current Israeli focus on airstrikes, alongside small-scale ground incursions, is a precursor to preparations for a large-scale ground operation.

It noted that Kochavi informed ministers that “he believes his plan could achieve the goal that Israel has been unable to reach in a year and a half of fighting, which is the absolute destruction of Hamas’s authority and military capabilities.”

Haaretz reported that according to security sources, Israel is still leaving room for a temporary deal during which prisoners might be released. However, these sources indicated that due to the political pressure on the government to expand the fighting, it appears that Kochavi’s plan will be carried out without a deal being reached.

The article continued: “Netanyahu’s plan is highly ambitious, and it does not face significant or clear reservations from senior military officers or the Shin Bet. The intention is to exploit the military operation led by Kochavi to impose military rule over the Strip or a large part of it, with the Israeli army taking control of the distribution of humanitarian aid.”

The article further mentioned that former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi strongly opposed this idea, warning that allowing a situation where soldiers might be killed while distributing flour to Palestinian civilians was unacceptable.

It pointed out that “Israel is currently creating a smokescreen around the government’s and the military’s true intentions, awaiting possible news from negotiations, which are doubtful to succeed, while laying the groundwork for a large-scale operation to occupy the Strip and reassert complete Israeli control over it.”

The article went on: “This will occur at a time when far-right parties in the government are pushing for the return of settlers and the forced expulsion of Palestinians, which will be presented as ‘voluntary migration,’ with support from Trump.”

It continued: “Reserve Brigadier General Ofer Winter is now preparing to lead an initiative to encourage migration. A survey conducted by the security apparatus among Palestinians estimates that nearly a quarter of the population agreed to migrate, though it remains unclear whether any country would accept the inhabitants of Gaza.”

Haaretz also noted that journalist Amit Segal, close to Netanyahu, wrote last Friday in the “Yedioth Ahronoth” newspaper that Netanyahu’s approach is to completely change the rules of the game, with full support from Trump.

The article concluded by stating: “The awareness that the war is about to expand, with the risk to the lives of the hostages still alive and the Israeli soldiers’ lives, has reignited discussions within the reserves.”