As part of the expanded military campaign in the Gaza Strip, the IDF plan to seize control of 70% to 75% of the Strip within approximately three months. According to the plan, the IDF will divide the Strip at multiple points using five divisions – four for offensive action and one for defense – and will work to replicate the Rafah model in every area reached by Israeli forces.
After the initial three-month phase of the operation, the IDF plans to continue clearing the area of terrorists over several more months. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi hinted in a recent speech that the operation could be paused at any time by directive of the political echelon in the event of a hostage deal.
Replicating the Rafah model
As part of the effort, the IDF will divide the Gaza Strip in several places using five divisions – four offensive and one defensive – mobilizing a double-digit number of brigades to operate across the territory. The goal is to replicate the Rafah model, employed by Israeli forces in recent weeks, in all areas reached by troops, eliminating terrorist infrastructure and killing terrorists.
In recent days, operations have already expanded, and they are expected to intensify further in the coming days. Depending on developments, reservists who have not yet been called up may be mobilized.
Under American pressure, Israel has begun allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, even though the humanitarian aid hubs it established have yet to become operational. In recent days, 100 trucks entered the Strip on Wednesday, 93 on Tuesday, and five the day before that. More trucks are expected to enter in the coming days.
At the same time, the IDF plans to push the Gaza population from the northern Strip to central and southern areas, in part by ensuring that the logistics centers distributing food and humanitarian aid operate only in the south and center. These centers are expected to begin functioning by this weekend or Sunday.
So far, Israel has established four logistics centers for aid distribution – three in the south and one in the center of the Strip. Each center can serve about 300,000 Palestinians. Israel is also preparing to build four additional centers to ensure aid can reach the entire Palestinian population in Gaza.
Simultaneously, Israel intends to accelerate efforts to relocate Gaza residents outside the Strip, in coordination with the US. However, senior officials told Israel Hayom that Washington has not yet given sufficient attention to the matter for it to proceed swiftly.
