Israel takes into account the extension of the offensive in Gaza. Netanyahu will announce this week the decision on the Directorate of Military Operation

Benjamin Netanyahu will convene this week the Security Cabinet to decide the next steps of Israel at the Gaza military operation, after collapsing indirect cessation negotiations with Hamas. A high -ranking Israeli official suggested that the option of a tougher intervention is taken into account, according to Reuters.

Last Saturday, during a visit to Israel, the American envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said he was working with the Israeli government on a plan that would actually end the war in Gaza.

However, Israeli officials have taken into account other options, such as extending the military offensive in Gaza or even annexing parts of the destroyed enclave.

The failed negotiations from Doha aimed to obtain an agreement based on a US proposal, which provided a 60 -day armistice. During this time, humanitarian aid was to be delivered in Gaza, and Hamas would have released half of the prisoners, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons.

After the Thursday's meeting between Netanyahu and American envoy Steve Witkoff, a high -ranking Israeli official said that “an understanding is between Washington and Israel” on the need to move from a temporary armistice to a wide agreement, which will lead to “the release of all hostages, disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza” Israel for the end of the war.

A source familiar with discussions told Reuters on Sunday that the visit of the American emissary was perceived in Israel as “very important.”

However, later, an Israeli official said that the pursuit of an agreement is no longer sense and threatened to intensify the military operations: “The idea that Hamas is not interested in an agreement is outlined, and the prime minister is now insisting on issuing hostages by the military defeat of the group.”

Lack of strategic clarity

What, concretely, would mean a “military defeat” of Hamas is still the subject of debate in the leadership of Israel. Some officials have suggested that Israel could declare the annexation of parts of Gaza, as a form of pressure on the Islamist group.

Others, such as the Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich and the Minister of National Security Istamar Ben-Gvir, demand the imposition of a military administration in Gaza, followed by annexation and the re-establishment of the Jewish colonies abolished 20 years ago.

The Israeli army, which constantly opposed such proposals during the war, was to present on Tuesday alternative variants, including a possible extension of operations in areas of the gas where it has not intervened so far, according to two defense officials.

While some of the political leaders support the idea of intensifying the offensive, the army is worried that such an action could endanger the lives of the approximately 20 hostages that would be alive.

According to the radio station of the Israeli army, the chief of the General Staff, Eyal Zamir, is increasingly frustrated by what he considers to be the lack of a clear strategic direction from the political leadership and fears that Israel could be drawn into a war of wear with Hamas.

A spokesman for Israel's defense forces (IDF) refused to comment on this information, but said that the army has several prepared plans.
“We have different ways to fight the terrorist organization, and this is what the army does,” said Lieutenant Nadav Shoshani.

On Tuesday, Qatar and Egypt held a common statement of Saudi Arabia, which sets a series of steps towards a two -state solution. The document includes a call for Hamas to hand over the Palestinian authority's weapons, supported by the West.

Hamas has repeatedly reported that he will not submit his weapons, but, according to three officials of the organization, he told mediators that he was willing to give up the Gaza's governance in favor of a neutral administrative authority.

However, the group insists that the post-war arrangements for Gaza must be decided by the Palestinians, not imposed by external forces.

The Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday that the differences between the parties are still too big to be overcome.

“We want to recover all the hostages. We want to conclude this war. We always prefer diplomatic solutions, if possible. But the essential question is: what will be the conditions for the end of the war?” He told Jerusalem.