Israel is ready to launch a major new phase of its military campaign in Gaza, with thousands of fresh troops set to enter the battle zone in the coming days. The goal: take control of more territory, push Hamas fighters out of their hiding spots, and force a geographic split between terrorists and civilians.
According to N12 News, the IDF aims to seize control of 75% of Gaza in this round. Defense sources say that Israel’s plan is to essentially create a “smaller Gaza” by detaching Hamas from the population as residents relocate to humanitarian safe zones, mostly in southern Gaza.
Israeli commanders see this as a way to both limit civilian harm and enable freer military movement.
Signs of a renewed offensive are already visible. Commando and paratrooper units from the elite 98th Division—heavily involved in earlier phases of the war—have been redeployed to Khan Younis in southern Gaza, suggesting that major operations are imminent.
Meanwhile, Hamas is reportedly preparing for a last-ditch defense in Gaza City. Palestinian sources told Kan News that the group is reinforcing several neighborhoods where tunnel infrastructure remains intact. Hamas will likely continue its pattern of ambushes and underground retreats in an effort to hinder IDF movements and exact more Israeli casualties.
How to End Gaza War?
The coming battles could mark a turning point—but also raise hard questions about what comes next. Military analyst Ron Ben-Yishai argues that Israel’s war goals need adjusting. Writing in Ynet, he says the campaign has entered a phase of diminishing returns.
Instead of demanding total demilitarization—something Hamas is unlikely to accept and can’t be achieved realistically—Ben-Yishai suggests Israel focus on dismantling Hamas heavy weapons, tunnels, and arms factories as part of any deal to end the war. In any case, an agreement must include the release of all hostages still held in Gaza.
He also says the repeated demand to exile Hamas leaders is now outdated, as most of the top Hamas and Islamic Jihad commanders are already dead. What matters now, Ben-Yishai argues, is ensuring Israel retains control of a buffer zone along the border, even if it pulls out of deeper parts of Gaza.
As the next phase begins, Israel faces a familiar dilemma: how to press its military advantage without getting stuck in a drawn-out, costly conflict, while keeping its goals realistic and without losing critical international support.