Financial Times: Israel has developed a plan to completely eliminate Hamas in the Gaza Strip
Strikes on the Gaza Strip (Photo: Mohammed Saber/EPA)
The Israeli armed forces have devised strategies to take control of the Gaza Strip in an effort to ultimately defeat the Hamas organization, as reported by the Financial Times, referencing unnamed Israeli officials.
This initiative, which still awaits endorsement from Israel’s security cabinet, was crafted by the newly appointed IDF chief of staff with the unofficial backing of far-right ministers who have for some time pushed for more aggressive measures against militants, according to the sources.
Two officials indicated that these strategies became feasible following the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House, which relieved Israel from the persistent requests of the administration of the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden, to refrain from occupying the Gaza Strip.
“The previous administration wanted us to conclude the war. Trump wants us to achieve victory in the war. America also has a substantial interest in defeating Hamas,” a third source disclosed to the FT.
Per the plan, the Israel Defense Forces is set to deploy multiple combat units to re-enter and subdue Hamas, gain control over extensive areas of the enclave, and compel 2.2 million individuals to relocate to a limited, designated humanitarian zone along the Mediterranean coastline.
One of the sources mentioned that Israel could oversee the distribution of all humanitarian assistance and had recently calculated the caloric needs of each Palestinian. Another noted that the military was evaluating various options, such as distributing aid directly or via private contractors to prevent Hamas from reaping benefits.
Until now, Israel’s strategy has concentrated on high-intensity warfare, followed by repeated operations in different regions aimed at eliminating the remnants of Hamas.
“This represents a completely different type of engagement,” remarked a senior reserve soldier who has now been instructed to prepare for several months of combat that involves “fighting, winning, and management.”
However, defense analysts express uncertainty regarding whether the IDF can fulfill these objectives within a few months, considering the exhaustion of current forces and the necessity to deploy what they claim is at least four divisions of combat soldiers.
- On January 15, 2025, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement and a plan for hostage release.
- The initial phase of the agreement resulted in the return of 25 live hostages and the remains of eight in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners’ release. However, the second phase of the hostage agreement encountered obstacles.
- On the night of March 18, Israel conducted airstrikes across the Gaza Strip due to Hamas’s refusal to release Israeli hostages.
