IDF readying new Gaza offensive to disarm Hamas by force |
SHEJAIYA, Gaza Strip — Four months into a ceasefire with Hamas, the Israeli military is drawing up plans for a renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip to disarm the terror group by force, The Times of Israel has learned.
The US-brokered ceasefire plan reached in October foresees the demilitarization of Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas, along with a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Strip. However, implementation of the plan has remained unclear, with Israeli officials increasingly believing that stripping Hamas of its weapons will be impossible without the Israel Defense Forces taking action.
Should hostilities renew, fighting is liable to be more intense and more widespread than previous rounds, as Israeli forces will no longer constrained by the presence of hostages on Gazan soil.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have both insisted that the terror group must give up its weapons in the near future. Trump has repeatedly asserted that Hamas “promised” to lay down its arms, and has threatened the group over the issue.
However, at least publicly, Hamas has never agreed to lay down its arms.
Israel also believes that left unchecked, the terror group will remain in power in the Strip and try to rebuild its militarily strength while tightening its grip on areas under its control. The military this month said that since the start of the ceasefire, Hamas “has violated the agreement and focused its efforts on restoring its military capabilities.”
Last month, a senior Israeli security official said that it was looking increasingly likely that the Israel Defense Forces would have to act militarily against Hamas to disarm it, as the military believed the terrorist organization will not do so of its own accord.
The official said the goal of disarming Hamas would be attainable by force, but would likely take many years.
In recent weeks, the IDF’s Southern Command has been building plans for a series of potential operations in the Strip should the political leadership instruct the military to disarm Hamas by force, The Times of Israel has learned.
Hinting at the military’s offensive plans, Defense Minister........