The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has developed plans to resume intensive military operations in the Gaza Strip in March. The offensive against Gaza City is aimed at moving the ceasefire line westward, towards the coast, which will further expand Israel's control over this territory, sources told the Israeli portal.
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When is a new Israeli operation planned in the Gaza Strip?
What are the goals of Israel's planned offensive?
What support does Israel need to carry out the operation?
What changes in the hostage situation impact Israel's actions?
The Arab diplomat admitted that the operation would not be possible without the support of the United States, which is still trying to move to the second phase of the fragile ceasefire reached in October 2025. This phase would include, among other things, disarmament of Palestinian Hamas.
Although Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu agreed to cooperate in efforts to speed up this process during his meeting with Trump last month, he does not believe in the success of initiatives aimed at disarming Hamas. Therefore, he ordered the army to prepare an emergency plan, the diplomat told the Times of Israel.
Analyst on the offensive against Hamas. “It will be easier for Israel”
On the first day of the ceasefire, October 10, Israeli forces withdrew to the so-called Yellow Line, retaining control of approximately 53 percent. territory of the Gaza Strip.
Some details about the planned offensive were first published on Saturday by the American newspaper “Wall Street Journal”.
Erez Winner, an analyst at the Israel Center for Grand Strategy, told the American newspaper that the offensive against Hamas will now be easier for Israel because it no longer has to worry about endangering hostages held in the Gaza Strip. All living hostages and the bodies of all Hamas prisoners except one were returned.
He added that it would also be easier for Israel to evacuate Palestinians because most of them live in tents, and one option was to transport them to the part of the Gaza Strip controlled by Israel.
“(The new stage of fighting in the Gaza Strip) will be much faster and easier than (many) people think,” the expert predicts.
Possible strategies mentioned by WSJ include: a quick takeover of the Gaza Strip by Israel to force Hamas to surrender immediately, or a slower, gradual takeover of the entire semi-enclave.
Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
Since the ceasefire, Israel has regularly carried out attacks and raids on people it claims have violated the ceasefire.
The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in force since October 10, 2025, is still in its early stages, although the US is pushing to move to the second stage as soon as possible. The next part includes, among others: withdrawal of Israeli troops, disarmament of Hamas, introduction of peacekeeping forces to the Gaza Strip and establishment of an independent local government there under international supervision.
