Israeli media has revealed that the Netanyahu government has approved a new military strategy that includes the full-scale ground invasion of the Gaza Strip and the assassination of Hamas leaders abroad, following the complete collapse of prisoner exchange negotiations.
According to Channel 14, the Israeli Security Cabinet is expected to hold a decisive session this week to formally adopt a strategy aimed at militarily subjugating Gaza and eliminating Hamas, both inside the Strip and beyond its borders.
Threats Directed at External Hamas Leaders
On Sunday, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi issued a direct threat to the external leadership of Hamas during a visit to Israeli troops stationed in Gaza City, particularly those in the 162nd Division.
Cited by Maariv, Halevi stated:
“In the coming days, we will know whether a partial deal for the release of captives can be reached, or whether we will continue the fighting without pause… You [soldiers] have achieved unprecedented victories during Operation Gideon’s Chariots.”
He added:
“Wherever you operated, you crushed the enemy and inflicted systematic damage on Hamas infrastructure, both above and below ground. This war continues, and we will adapt it to evolving realities in a way that serves our interests. The achievements thus far grant us operational flexibility.”
Halevi noted that the ‘cleansing’ of friction zones in army-controlled parts of Gaza has created what he called a “security buffer zone”, enabling enhanced defence of Israeli settlements and facilitating new waves of offensive operations.
He further stated that Israel’s offensive efforts are now rooted in intelligence-led targeting, precision strikes, and manoeuvre warfare, all aimed at methodically dismantling Hamas while minimising IDF troop attrition.
Strategic Crisis and Mossad’s Reluctance
Maariv also reported that Israel is experiencing a strategic and political breakdown, with the political leadership pushing the state toward what may be one of its most significant failures—having neither freed the 50 Israeli captives nor eliminated Hamas as declared objectives.
The paper confirmed that the Israeli military has two operational plans for continuing the war in Gaza. One likely scenario involves encircling Gaza City, intensifying aerial, naval, and artillery bombardments, and targeting residential areas with heavy firepower.
The report further noted that the Mossad has deliberately refrained from addressing the Hamas leadership abroad, forcing Shin Bet (Shabak) to establish a new unit for that purpose—despite this task falling outside its traditional scope.
The article adds:
“Hamas leaders designated for assassination continue to move freely across the Middle East and Europe. Tel Aviv urgently needs three things: mature leadership, professionally driven—not politically driven—decision-making, and decisive operations on all battlefronts, both inside Gaza and across the region, in both the military and political arenas.”
The Real Goal of the War
Military strategist and academic Dr. Ahmad Al-Sharifi stated in an interview with Arabi21 that the declared goal of Israel’s war on Gaza—eliminating Hamas and freeing captives—was merely a façade.
He explained:
“From the beginning, the field realities indicated a deeper objective. In my assessment, the real goal was always the full occupation of the Gaza Strip.”
Dr. Al-Sharifi added that Israeli forces were drawn into unexpected scenarios, particularly the underground warfare, which they failed to manage independently. However, following Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, there appeared to be a direct signal from President Trump urging him to “finish the mission.”
He concluded:
“That mission, clearly, was to realise the undeclared goal: the complete reoccupation of Gaza.”
