The Times of Israel reports this morning that Netanyahu’s security cabinet unanimously approved a plan to expand the Gaza operation during late Sunday meeting, May 4. ToI cites Hebrew media reporting that the plan is expected to be implemented only after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the region next week, and, until then, efforts will continue to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.
The plan, which had reportedly been presented by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, provides for the “conquering of Gaza and holding the territories.” The official said it will see the IDF take control of territory in Gaza, move the civilian population toward the south, attack Hamas, and prevent the terror group from taking control of humanitarian aid.
Zamir, however, has been reportedly warning that a significant expansion of the Israeli offensive in Gaza could result in the loss of the remaining 59 hostages, 35 of whom are believed to have died in captivity. “In a plan for a full-scale maneuver, we won’t necessarily reach the hostages,” Channel 13 quoted Zamir as saying in a meeting. “Keep in mind that we could lose them.” Zamir was also quoted as contending that the war’s two goals of defeating Hamas and rescuing the hostages “are problematic in relation to each other.”
Channel 13 said ministers were not swayed by Zamir’s comments, and that the military was likely to intensify its Gaza operations soon.
In public, Zamir aligned himself with the government’s current messaging and said the military was increasing pressure on Hamas to release the hostages. “This week, we are sending tens of thousands of draft orders to our reserve personnel to intensify and expand our action in Gaza. We are increasing the pressure to return our people [held hostage] and defeat Hamas,” Zamir said in remarks on May 4 published by the IDF. He said the IDF would “operate in additional areas and destroy all of [Hamas’s] infrastructure above and below ground.”
