Zionist regime forces gearing up for a significant military operation in Gaza: US media sources

On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that the regime aims to orchestrate an assault with the declared objective of defeating Gaza’s Hamas resistance movement.

The report stated that the regime was of the opinion that, as per Tel Aviv, the military defeat of Hamas was essential before contemplating any political resolutions.

The movement, along with its allies and even states allied with the regime, have characterized the group as invincible due to its strategic acumen on the battleground and its widespread popularity among Palestinians, as well as among anti-occupation regional communities and governments.

In a June interview with Channel 13, former Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari commented on the entrenched nature of Hamas, describing the group as both an ideology and a political entity deeply embedded in the populace. Hagari asserted that any notion of completely eradicating Hamas is misguided.

A senior official from Hamas has indicated that statements made by the Israeli military spokesperson, suggesting the unlikelihood of eradicating Hamas, reflect the regime’s failure in its military campaign against Gaza. The official further commented that assurances of Hamas’s elimination were merely illusions cast to mislead the Israeli public.

Earlier this month, the Israeli military resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip, which initially began in October 2023. This operation had paused after Tel Aviv entered into a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The ceasefire reportedly experienced several violations before the large-scale hostilities recommenced.

The escalation is intended to pressure the movement into releasing the regime’s captives currently held in Gaza all at once. This move comes despite Tel Aviv not fulfilling its part of the ceasefire agreement, which includes progressing to the second phase by releasing thousands of Palestinian prisoners, halting violence in Palestinian territories, and executing a full withdrawal.

Hagari underscored the challenges in recovering all captives held by the regime solely through military action, highlighting the necessity for an alternative strategy to secure their release.

The Wall Street Journal report indicated that Israeli officials are preparing for a substantial escalation, with the purported aim of weakening Hamas’s control over Palestinian areas.

The government has reinitiated its ground offensive strategy reminiscent of previous operations in Gaza, moving infantry units into the northern regions and reclaiming the strategic Netzarim Corridor. This corridor grants Israeli forces a strategic advantage for intensifying operations in central and northern Gaza. Previously, Tel Aviv had ceded this territory as part of a ceasefire agreement.

Furthermore, Israeli military operations have intensified, marked by an increase in airstrikes, resulting in the targeted killing of several Hamas political leaders within the region.

According to reports from an American publication, a strategy spearheaded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and supported by prominent military figures, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and General Eyal Zamir, emphasizes the necessity of militarily defeating Hamas on the battlefield prior to engaging in any political negotiations.

Supported by the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has significantly increased the provision of arms and ammunition to the regime, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s team is confident they possess the required resources to advance their offensive operations, according to reports.

The majority of settlers, supportive of the regime, who have participated in large-scale protests to urge negotiations with Hamas for the release of remaining captives, are advocating against further aggression.

Recent polls indicate a growing consensus among some groups that Tel Aviv should have adhered to a ceasefire agreement instead of intensifying its military actions.

Opposition to further aggressive actions encompasses a significant portion of right-wing voters, a group that has played a crucial role in sustaining Prime Minister Netanyahu’s prolonged political career.

A recent survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute revealed that 73% of settlers, including a significant number of members from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, are in favor of engaging in negotiations with Hamas.

Reports have surfaced indicating that the Israeli Prime Minister has taken steps to undermine ongoing negotiations by dismissing officials who support the discussions.

Throughout the ongoing conflict, over 50,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives, while countless others have been displaced.

Despite the ongoing violence, Hamas has demonstrated resilience by persistently bolstering its recruitment of fighters and senior leaders, as well as enhancing its defensive strategies.

In January 2025, the organization is understood to have installed a new leader, demonstrating its ongoing resistance amid escalating hostilities.