International reports indicate that the Israeli occupation and the Hamas movement have entered a phase of field preparations amid the possibility of renewed war in the Gaza Strip, despite ongoing efforts to stabilise the ceasefire and advance the political track.
Media reports suggest that the situation in the Gaza Strip is moving towards a new phase of escalation, even as a fragile ceasefire reached earlier remains formally in place.
According to the Hebrew language newspaper The Times of Israel, citing an Israeli official and an Arab diplomat, the Israeli military establishment has already prepared operational scenarios for launching new military moves inside the Gaza Strip. These are reportedly likely to be implemented during the month of March if political efforts to consolidate the ceasefire falter.
The Arab diplomat, who requested anonymity, explained that any large scale Israeli operation would not take place without clear American cover. He noted that Washington is currently exerting pressure towards implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which includes the disarmament of the Hamas movement and the deployment of an international force tasked with maintaining stability inside the Strip.
In the same context, the source stated that potential Israeli plans focus primarily on Gaza City, with efforts aimed at redrawing lines of field control. This includes moving what is known as the yellow line, a new separation line that Israel seeks to impose as a fait accompli inside the Gaza Strip.
For its part, the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal revealed, citing Israeli and Arab officials, that the Hamas movement does not appear far from a scenario of returning to armed confrontation. According to the reports, Hamas has begun rehabilitating parts of its tunnel network that were damaged during previous military operations.
The newspaper added that the movement has succeeded in securing new sources of funding, which are being used to pay salaries to its members, alongside recruiting new fighters. This step reflects long term preparedness for potential escalation.
Conversely, the Wall Street Journal quoted Israeli officials as saying that Tel Aviv remains willing to give the political track additional time, within the framework of an initiative put forward by US President Donald Trump. However, other sources confirmed that the final decision regarding a return to war rests with the Israeli political leadership, not the military institution alone.
Despite the ceasefire remaining in effect, Israeli forces continue to carry out limited strikes targeting field commanders within the Hamas movement inside the Gaza Strip. This reflects the fragility of the current situation and reinforces fears of the collapse of the truce and the outbreak of a new round of fighting.
