Preparations for the operation to capture Gaza City are proceeding as planned, Israeli officials clarified to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir met Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday evening to present the operational plan, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene a discussion on the matter on Thursday.
Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai, the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, the head of the Military Operations Directorate, the head of Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) representatives, and other senior officials in the security establishment also attended the meeting.
The approval of the operational plans comes against the backdrop of a proposal backed by Hamas for a partial deal that would involve the release of 10 hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire.
“Operational planning is continuing as usual,” a senior Israeli official told the Post. “We are determined to implement the cabinet’s decision to capture Gaza City unless a framework is presented that includes the release of all hostages and an end to the war under the terms outlined by the prime minister.”
While Israel is reviewing the proposal, officials signaled that since it does not include the release of all the hostages, Israel is unlikely to respond positively or enter negotiations based on it.
“Israel’s policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 hostages in accordance with the principles set by the cabinet for ending the war,” a senior political source stated. “We are at the decisive stage against Hamas, and we will not leave a single hostage behind.”
The United States continued to discuss a ceasefire proposal for a 60-day truce in Gaza, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Hamas accepted this proposal after the president of the United States posted a very strong statement about this conflict on Truth Social yesterday,” Leavitt told reporters at a press briefing at the White House.
An 80,000 soldier operation
The IDF decided on Monday that the Gaza City operation would comprise at least 80,000 soldiers, who would encircle and conquer the city to destroy Hamas’s core terror infrastructure and the primary government symbols still under its control, the Post previously reported.
In order to comply with the levels of readiness needed, the IDF has decided to advance the issuance of reserve call-up orders for the upcoming week, with about 50,000 orders to be sent in addition to those already in service, subject to the approval of the defense minister.