Gaza City – Israel is preparing for a prolonged military operation in the Gaza Strip, perhaps lasting up to six months, with plans to encircle Gaza City by October 25th, according to a report by Sky News Arabia. This comes amidst growing internal dissent within Israeli security services regarding the scope and necessity of a full-scale occupation.
The operation, codenamed “Ma’is” (meaning “Calf” in Hebrew), is anticipated to take at least 45 days to fully materialize.
Ground Force Expansion
Within the next month, Israel will reinforce its ground forces with reserve units from the 146th division, supplementing the already deployed 98th Division currently operating within the Gaza Strip. This expansion will bring the total number of military divisions involved in the operation to six:
- Division 162
- division 36
- Division 98
- Gaza Division
- division 99
- Division 146
Timeline and Concerns
Israeli military leadership intends to establish a military cordon around Gaza City on October 25th, coinciding with ongoing civilian evacuation efforts, as a prelude to a ground incursion. However, high-ranking officials within Israeli security agencies – including Chief of staff herzi Halevi, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Acting Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar – have voiced “serious reservations” regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to pursue a large-scale military operation and potential occupation of Gaza.
A reported ten-hour discussion, detailed by the “Yediot Aharonot” newspaper on Saturday, revealed that while these officials do not oppose military action outright, they advocate for “more convenient options.” Their primary concern centers on the increased risk to both Israeli soldiers and the approximately 240 hostages currently held by Hamas within the Gaza Strip. The security chiefs reportedly fear that a ground occupation will substantially endanger the lives of these hostages.
Background: gaza and the Current Conflict
The Gaza Strip, a self-governing Palestinian territory, is approximately 140 square miles in size and borders Egypt and Israel. It is home to over 2.1 million Palestinians, with a meaningful portion relying on humanitarian aid. The current conflict was triggered by a surprise attack launched by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, which involved thousands of rockets fired into Israel and incursions into Israeli territory by Hamas militants.This attack resulted in over 1,400 Israeli deaths and the abduction of numerous civilians and soldiers.
Israel has responded with extensive airstrikes targeting Hamas infrastructure and positions within Gaza, resulting in a significant number of Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction. The United Nations and international organizations have expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians.The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, controlled by both Egypt and Hamas, is currently the only point of entry and exit for humanitarian aid and foreign nationals.
Future Outlook
The duration of the operation remains contingent on several factors, including the success of negotiations for the release of hostages and any potential shifts in the regional political landscape. without a significant breakthrough in these areas, Israeli security sources anticipate a protracted conflict lasting at least six months.
