Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz are expected to meet Monday afternoon with the IDF General Staff Forum, in a discussion set to both congratulate military leadership on the achievements of Operation Rising Lion and determine the next phase of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza.
The gathering comes a week after the 12-day operation against Iran concluded, with senior IDF commanders due to present a summary of the campaign's successes and provide an updated situational assessment.
After reviewing past developments, Netanyahu and Katz will continue to a smaller, high-level security consultation focused on Gaza. Discussions will center on ongoing operations and the lack of clear directives for how to proceed.
Senior military officials briefed the political echelon Sunday on the current status in the Strip and urged them to issue decisions and directives for the next stage. As of now, the IDF believes it is close to achieving its declared objectives in Operation "Gideon's Chariots," namely controlling approximately 70 to 75 percent of Gaza. Further operations in the remaining areas are viewed as potentially endangering the lives of Israeli hostages held by terrorist organizations in the Strip.
The IDF is currently prioritizing a hostage deal that would secure the release of captives held by Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. However, in the absence of a directive from the political leadership regarding such a deal, the military is seeking guidance on the future course of operations.
Until a hostage agreement is reached and a governance alternative to Hamas is found, the IDF is pressing Israel's political leadership to decide between two primary options: establishing a military administration and fully occupying the Strip, or maintaining a siege and pursuing a war of attrition.
Army sources told Israel Hayom that the political echelon must soon provide the army with clear directives.
Since the beginning of June, 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza - roughly the same number as the estimated living hostages still being held there.
