IDF Heading Towards the Next Phase in Gaza: Maximum Pressure on Hamas

Following reports in the Arab media regarding negotiations in which Hamas is to release five live hostages and several deceased captives, a senior Israeli official clarified in the Israeli news site, Maariv: “There is no progress in the negotiations, and in fact, there is no negotiation at all.”

The Next Phase in the Military Operation in Gaza

According to the official, “Israel is preparing to move to the next phase of the military operation in Gaza, aiming to increase pressure on Hamas and cause senior leaders of the terrorist organization to be flexible and agree to discuss the framework proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.”

Approval for Continued Fighting

Earlier today, Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Gaza Division, where he conducted an operational tour with senior IDF officials and approved the continuation of the “Strength and Sword” operation plans. During the visit, the minister addressed the issue of the hostages.

“I came here today to see up close the fighting and the preparedness of IDF forces on the ground ahead of future decisions,” said Katz. He added, “Our main goal now is to bring all the hostages home, and if Hamas continues its refusal, it will pay an increasingly heavy price through territorial loss and the neutralization of operatives and terrorist infrastructures, until its absolute defeat.”

Alongside Katz, the visit included the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Tamir Yadai and other high level commanders.

IDF Continues to Operate in the Strip

The defense minister’s visit occurred while the IDF continues ground operations in various hotspots in Gaza. Yesterday, alarms were activated due to rocket launches towards several communities in the border area. The IDF reported that two launches were intercepted. A few minutes later, the IDF Spokesperson in Arabic issued a warning to residents of the Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun areas stating, “This is the last early warning before the raid.”

Controlling the Netzarim Route

It was further stated that “terror organizations repeatedly launch their rockets from among civilians; we have warned this area many times, for your safety, you must immediately move west to the known shelter centers.”

According to political sources, the military objective is to gain complete control over the Netzarim route in preparation for the evacuation of residents, as was done in the past. The political echelon says that if Hamas does not release hostages, ground cells will be destroyed as required.

The Renewed Ground Maneuver in the Strip

In addition to IDF aircraft attacking over 100 Hamas trucks, which, according to the IDF, were used for “terror activities and transporting weapons,” the military emphasized that “the vehicles were directly involved in the October 7 massacre, where the terrorists invaded Israeli communities, killed and kidnapped civilians, and were used to transport terrorists and weapons to combat areas.”

The attacks were carried out as part of the renewed ground maneuver in the Strip, with the goal of disrupting Hamas’s capabilities. Among the targeted sites were buildings used for vehicle storage and logistics for the organization.

Watch the IDF destroy 100 Hamas vehicles. | Video: Courtesy of IDF Spokesperson