Israel implementing steps to increase pressure on Hamas, could resume fighting in Gaza

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal on Friday, Israel has formulated a plan to gradually increase pressure on Hamas in a series of steps, which could lead to the resumption of fighting in the Gaza Strip. The report also claimed Israel could turn to Gaza with a much larger military force than it has deployed so far. 

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump renewed an ultimatum to Hamas to release the remaining hostages or face the threat of a return to war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, in Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are already planning what a return to fighting would look like. 

A senior Israeli official told the Journal, “Israel wants to squeeze Hamas until it has no choice but to bend or break.” 

According to plan, Israel has devised a series of escalating measures to increase pressure on Hamas after talks to extend the hostage-ceasefire agreement stalled. 

The first step reportedly began last week with the refusal to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the decision after Hamas refused to accept the so-called “Witkoff proposal," which called for extending the first phase of the ceasefire throughout Ramadan and Passover.

The proposal also called for the release of half of the living and deceased hostages at the beginning of the extension, and the remaining living and dead hostages after completing a permanent ceasefire agreement. 

After Netanyahu announced the halt of aid, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich indicated the next steps would include cutting off electricity and water. In a post to 𝕏, he wrote that the time had come to “open the gates of Hell” on Gaza.   

The journal cited an Israeli security analyst with knowledge of the plan, who said if these measures fail, Israel could resume limited operations involving airstrikes and tactical raids against Hamas targets. If that also failed to produce results, the next phase would see Israel again evacuate the Palestinians who returned to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip during the ceasefire, ahead of a renewed ground campaign. 

The report also claimed Israel could resume its Gaza campaign with a much larger military force than it has deployed so far. Contrary to the previous campaign, in which the IDF preferred not to hold territory, or control the distribution of aid, a renewed military campaign could see the IDF do both. 

Former National Security Council adviser Yaakov Amidror told The Wall Street Journal that, from Israel’s perspective, "there is no way to dismantle Hamas without occupying the Gaza Strip."

"There is a determination to go back in and finish Hamas no matter what happens," Michael Makovsky, a former senior U.S. Defense Department official and current president of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America told the Journal. "I think Israel will come in tough and harder." 

The planning for a renewed military campaign comes as Israel and Hamas are again moving toward dialogue, with Israel announcing on Saturday that it will send a delegation to Doha, Qatar for talks, and that U.S. envoy Steven Witkoff is expected to join shortly after. 

Still, significant gaps remain in the positions. Israel wants Hamas to release half the hostages still held in its custody, while Hamas wants a guarantee for a permanent ceasefire before releasing significant numbers of hostages. Israel is unwilling to accept a permanent ceasefire, while Hamas is unwilling to relinquish power and disarm.  

Israel has offered to extend the ceasefire for the month of Ramadan if Hamas continues to release hostages held in Gaza. 

Meanwhile, Trump shows signs of losing patience. On Wednesday, he again threatened Hamas in a social media post after meeting with a group of Israeli former hostages. The following day, Trump and his envoy Witkoff hinted that the U.S. and Israel might take joint military action against Hamas if the group does not release the hostages. 

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