Israel Approves Combat Plan: "Next Phase Ready"

On the 29th (local time), while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were in a temporary ceasefire with the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, they released images of soldiers conducting operations in the Gaza Strip. Israel and Hamas each claimed that the other party violated the ceasefire agreement first, following armed clashes on the first day of the ceasefire extension.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

As the ceasefire extension between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is being pursued, the Israeli government has approved combat plans for after the ceasefire with Hamas ends.

On the 29th (local time), according to the Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi held an operational meeting at the Southern Command located in Beersheba and approved the military combat plans. Chief of Staff Halevi emphasized, "We know what we need to do and are prepared for the next phase."

Defense Minister Yoav Galant also held a situation assessment meeting with military and intelligence leaders including Chief of Staff Halevi, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar on the same day, stating, "The IDF forces in the air, sea, and land are ready for the immediate resumption of combat operations." The newspaper reported that he also said, "We are making every effort to fully complete the process of returning all abducted women and children."

Israel and Hamas are negotiating an extension of the ceasefire with mediation from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, but the outcome remains uncertain. Israel and Hamas entered a four-day temporary ceasefire starting on the 24th under conditions that included exchanging three Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli hostage and allowing humanitarian aid including fuel into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, which was set to end on the 28th, was extended by two days and will conclude at 7 a.m. on the 30th.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military has dampened hopes for a ceasefire extension by killing three Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. IDF Chief Spokesperson Daniel Hagari explained, "They violated the ceasefire agreement and posed a threat to our forces." He added, "The military will respond without interruption to any threat."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a meeting with residents of southern Israel on the same day, stressed the need for the complete defeat of Hamas, saying, "The price of agreeing to a ceasefire is leaving Hamas there as is, allowing Yahya Sinwar?the top Hamas leader whom the IDF has identified as the primary target?to walk out of the rubble making a victory sign with his fingers."