The Israeli security establishment estimates that taking control of Gaza City will take two to three months, followed by several more months of operations inside the city to clear it, a security source told Israel Hayom.
On Sunday, the IDF completed their final preparations for the planned entry. This week, more reservists will be called up to enable the maneuver as well as secure Judea and Samaria, where tensions threaten to flare. Some hope the offensive could be halted if a hostage deal materializes, but for now, the political leadership has signaled it will agree only to a comprehensive deal.
Hamas, the terrorist organization ruling Gaza, has recently agreed only to a partial deal. Talks remain uncertain following last week's failed Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has instructed troops to prioritize maximum force protection. That means advancing slowly under heavy firepower to avoid falling into Hamas ambushes, traps, and explosive devices prepared in advance.
The maneuver will be conducted in stages, with units joining in as it progresses. According to IDF assessments, the operation could be paused at any stage for a hostage deal, though in later stages this would likely be far more complicated.
A major challenge remains the civilian population: so far, only about 300,000 Palestinians have left Gaza City, out of some 800,000 residents.
On Monday, the IDF Arabic-language spokesperson again urged residents of Gaza Port and the Rimal neighborhood, as well as those near specific buildings in the city, to evacuate ahead of strikes.
The expectation is that as Israeli forces close in on residential areas, more civilians will flee southward into designated humanitarian zones, which Israel has worked in recent weeks to expand and improve. Still, an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 Palestinians are expected to remain inside Gaza City, complicating the maneuver and serving as human shields for Hamas.
Operations in Judea and Samaria
The IDF said it continues to operate in Jabaliya and on the outskirts of Gaza City. Givati Brigade forces eliminated more than 10 terrorists over the past day and destroyed terrorist infrastructure in the area. The 215th Fire Brigade struck Hamas operatives and weapons depots, while the 401st Armored Brigade operated in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.
In one incident, the brigade's fire unit identified about 10 Hamas terrorists, who were eliminated after the engagement was closed by IDF troops.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for potential escalation in Judea and Samaria, following several terrorist attacks last week and in advance of the upcoming Jewish High Holidays and UN discussions on Palestinian statehood, which could prompt unilateral declarations of sovereignty or annexation. The IDF is preparing for increased attempts at attacks.
As part of this effort, the regular IDF Paratroopers Brigade will remain deployed in Judea and Samaria at least until after the upcoming Jewish holidays. If the period passes relatively quietly, the brigade may be redeployed to the Gaza Strip.
