Gaza Occupation Plan: From Zionist Internal Divisions to Upcoming Challenges
the English section of webangah News Agency, quoting Mehr News Agency via Al-Araby Al-Jadeed website, reports that one of the most urgent issues for the Israeli army command over the next two weeks-following cabinet approval of the Gaza occupation plan-is determining when to summon reserve soldiers for a prolonged military operation and deciding how many will be called up.
Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth writes that Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir is expected to receive by the end of this week a broad outline and key points from southern command regarding ground operations in Gaza. Though, it is indeed already clear that such an offensive operation will not take place on a large scale before the end of this month.
The paper attributes this delay to military commanders’ awareness of meaningful fatigue among many reservists,believing that calling them up during summer holidays woudl impose excessive pressure on these forces.
The report also outlines various constraints faced by Israel in implementing this plan, ranging from manpower shortages and international pressure to technical readiness levels for tanks and armored personnel carriers.it highlights critical ammunition and weapons shortages, especially relating to ground combat operations. One major obstacle remains Israel’s lack of intelligence on where its captives are held.
Yedioth Ahronoth quotes Israeli army estimates suggesting Hamas will not only continue bolstering security for Israeli captives within underground tunnels but may relocate them soon to multiple locations. Zamir has explained to political leaders that “his red line will never change,” meaning the army will not attack areas where Israeli captives are believed to be present.
Meanwhile, distrust runs deep among reservists toward their own military commanders. Earlier promises assured reservists their service time would not exceed two-and-a-half months this year; however, those guarantees were repeatedly broken during Operation Gideon’s activities. Reservists are expected again in November and December for missions either in Gaza or the West Bank.
Gradual Implementation of Gaza Occupation Plan
despite cabinet approval under Prime Minister Netanyahu for occupying Gaza, details about execution speed have been entrusted entirely to the army. The military high command opposed direct occupation plans beforehand; instead it proposed maintaining a siege around Gaza so troops could minimize direct combat involvement-this stance contributes both delays and gradual phasing into any action plans.
Yedioth Ahronoth concludes that preparations for an occupation operation-which Netanyahu has set with a deadline until next October-may begin with encircling Gaza City after roughly two months. Later, assaults might target urban zones followed possibly by tunnel systems inside Gaza.
