The plan was presented to him by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the military’s senior command team.
(photo credit: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)
Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the IDF takeover of Gaza City plan on Wednesday, naming the operation “Gideon’s Chariots II.”
The plan was presented to him by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and the military’s senior command team.
Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai, the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, the head of the Military Operations Directorate, the head of Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) representatives, and other senior officials in the security establishment also attended the meeting.
The takeover is said to be a continuation of the first “Operation Gideon’s Chariots.”
In order to comply with the levels of readiness needed, the IDF has decided to send about 50,000 call-up orders to reservists, in addition to those already in service, as previously reported by The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.
Preparations to evacuate civilians from Gaza City to the south of the Strip were also approved to isolate Hamas terrorists.
“Operational planning is continuing as usual. We are determined to implement the cabinet’s decision to capture Gaza City unless a framework is presented that includes the release of all hostages and an end to the war under the terms outlined by the prime minister,” a senior official told the Post on Tuesday.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum demanded an urgent meeting with Katz and Zamir in response to the former’s approval of the plan, demanding they show how the upcoming operation will not lead to the deaths of more hostages.
Hostage deal negotiations
The approval of the plans comes against a proposal backed by Hamas that would involve the release of 10 hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire.
While Israel is reviewing the proposal, officials signaled that since it does not include the release of all the hostages, Israel is unlikely to respond positively or enter negotiations based on it.
“Israel’s policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 hostages in accordance with the principles set by the cabinet for ending the war,” a senior political source stated. “We are at the decisive stage against Hamas, and we will not leave a single hostage behind.”
As reported by The Jerusalem Post