Israel mobilizes vast numbers of reservists, intends to broaden Gaza operations as hostage negotiations remain at an impasse
Rewritten Article:
Israel's military is gearing up for an escalation in its offensive against Gaza, as peace talks seem stuck. The beefed-up operations will involve calling up tens of thousands of reservists, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir's plan.
Zamir's proposal was presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday. This plan reportedly includes evacuating Palestinians from certain areas before launching expanded operations, similar to tactics used in southern Gaza last year.
Netanyahu's Security Cabinet is said to approve this plan Sunday. Zamir commented, "This week we're mobilizing tens of thousands of troops to intensify and expand our operation in Gaza. We aim to increase the pressure to defeat Hamas."
The IDF, according to Zamir, will "operate in new territories and destroy all infrastructures above and under the ground." This move has sparked concerns among families of the 59 Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza. Most of these hostages were captured during Hamas' deadly 2023 attack on Israel, which kick-started 18 months of Israeli bombardments causing more than 50,000 casualties in Gaza.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters made a passionate plea Saturday, stating, "Any intensification of fighting puts the hostages—alive and deceased—in immediate danger." The organization asserted that the vast majority of the Israeli public views the return of the hostages as the nation's highest moral priority.
Negotiations to secure the release of the remaining hostages have been at a standstill for weeks. Talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar repeatedly collapsed due to disagreements over the terms. Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel accuses Hamas of rejecting "reasonable offers."
Netanyahu has accused Qatari representatives of "playing both sides" in the negotiations, urging the Gulf state to "choose between civility and Hamas barbarism." This echoed reports that Qatar had allegedly pressured Hamas to reject an Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire deal.
Qatar dismissed these claims, calling them a distortion of its diplomatic efforts. It accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a "political instrument" since Israel has blocked aid deliveries to Gaza for the past two and a half months. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari questioned, "Is this truly the model of civilization being advocated?"
In a recent development, Netanyahu explicitly stated for the first time that defeating Israel's enemies is more important than securing the release of the remaining hostages. This remark stirred criticism from representatives of the hostages' families. Previously, Netanyahu had portrayed defeating Hamas and securing the release of the hostages as the primary objectives of Israel's war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu announced last Saturday that his planned visit to Azerbaijan has been rescheduled to a later date due to a "hectic diplomatic and security schedule" caused by events in Gaza and Syria.
This story has been updated with further details and information.
Insights:
- Current Status of Negotiations and Ceasefire Talks: The ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas are challenging, with Hamas seeking a five-year truce, full Israeli withdrawal, lifting of restrictions, and resumption of aid alongside a one-time release of hostages.
- Israeli Position and Concerns: While hostage release is important to Israel, defeating Hamas is considered the supreme goal. Israel may escalate military operations if negotiations stall. The IDF maintains hostage retrieval as its top priority.
- Impact on Hostages: The protracted conflict and lack of agreement increases the uncertainty and danger faced by Israeli hostages. A breakthrough seems unlikely without significant concessions from Hamas.
- External Factors and Aid: The U.S. is considering resuming aid to Gaza through a secure international mechanism to prevent Hamas from accessing these resources. President Biden's administration is expected to play a crucial role in negotiations, while President Trump's upcoming Middle East visit could also influence the outcome.
- The IDF's strategic plan, proposed by Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, suggests evacuating certain areas of Gaza before intensifying operations, a tactic similar to what was used in southern Gaza in 2024.
- Netanyahu, Katz, and the Security Cabinet are expected to discuss and potentially approve this plan on Sunday, aiming to increase pressure on Hamas and defeat them. This proposed operation includes the IDF moving into new territories and destroying all infrastructures, causing concerns among families of the 59 hostages still being held by Hamas.
- The year 2025 could see additional political tension when general news outlets report on the IDF's offensive in Gaza, revolving around negotiations, ceasefire talks, and the safety of the Israeli hostages.
