The Israeli army has expanded its offensive in Gaza City, Hamas reported. Despite internal tensions, Chief of Staff Zamir approved plans to seize the city and crush Hamas—plans that are said to endanger both soldiers and hostages. The Israeli military is carrying out a military assault in Gaza City, according to a representative of the Islamist group Hamas. The Israeli armed forces are making “aggressive” advances in Gaza City, Hamas’s media office said on Wednesday.
The Zeytoun district and the area surrounding the southern part of Tal al-Hawa are particularly affected. The Israeli security cabinet had approved an expansion of the military operation in the Gaza Strip on Friday night. According to the plan, the goal is to take control of Gaza City. Israeli Chief of Staff approves deployment plans Ahead of the planned expansion of the Gaza war, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved the corresponding deployment plans.
Zamir had “approved the main framework for the operational plan of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip” during a meeting, the army said. According to reports, the meeting was attended by the General Staff, representatives of the national intelligence service Shin Bet, and other commanders. Preparations are also underway for the recruitment of additional reservists.
Tensions over Netanyahu’s strategy in Gaza According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s new war plan calls for the capture of Gaza City as well as the destruction of the Islamist Hamas in the central refugee camps of the Gaza Strip. According to media reports, Zamir had warned about the major risks of the plan, stating that it endangers soldiers and suspected hostages in Gaza City. Israeli media have reported significant tensions between Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
