The Israeli military chief has approved a new operational plan for Gaza, as announced today, while Hamas condemns “aggressive” raids on Gaza City and speaks of a “dangerous escalation” by Israel.
According to the announcement, Major General Eyal Zamir approved the basic framework of the plan, though no details about the timeline were provided. Following orders from Benjamin Netanyahu, the military is preparing to enter a new phase of operations, aimed at freeing Israeli hostages and defeating Hamas. The plans include capturing Gaza City and neighboring refugee camps, which are among the most densely populated areas of the Palestinian enclave.
Today’s discussions reviewed military actions taken so far, including the strike on the Zeitoun area that began on Tuesday. This neighborhood has been targeted by aerial bombardments for three days, while testimonies report strikes also in Tel al-Hawa. Hamas government spokesman Ismail al-Thawabta condemned the raids as focusing mainly on Zeitoun and the southern section of Tel al-Hawa, accompanied by intense bombings and demolition of homes. He said this represents an attempt to impose new conditions on the ground “through a scorched earth policy.”
The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war, cost the lives of 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians. In Gaza, Israeli retaliation has caused 61,599 deaths, according to Hamas’s Health Ministry, numbers considered reliable by the UN.
In the last 24 hours, bombardments in Gaza City claimed the lives of 123 people – the heaviest toll of the past week. Air and ground strikes destroyed homes in the Zeitoun and Shejaiya neighborhoods, while Al-Ahli hospital reported 12 deaths from a strike on a residence. Attacks also occurred in eastern Khan Younis, while in the center of the enclave, gunfire killed nine people trying to collect humanitarian aid.
The humanitarian crisis is worsening, with eight new deaths from hunger and malnutrition – including three children – bringing the total to 235, of which 106 are children, since the war began.
In Cairo, Hamas’s chief negotiator, Khalil Al-Hayya, met with Egyptian mediators about ending the war, delivering aid, and providing relief to Gaza’s population. Egyptian security sources reported that the prospect of a comprehensive ceasefire was discussed, with possible Hamas withdrawal from governance and surrender of its weapons.
A senior official from the organization told Reuters that Hamas is considering every proposal, provided there is Israeli withdrawal, but characterized weapons surrender as impossible before the occupation ends.
