After weeks of preparation, the IDF will soon begin a ground maneuver aimed at taking control of Gaza City. Three regular divisions are participating in the operation, entering the city from three different directions. The advance is expected to be slow and methodical, with security prioritized over speed. The maneuver is set to begin within days, with forces moving gradually in phases, without shortcuts.
According to estimates, taking control of the city will take two to three months, as reported by Israel Hayom. However, clearing the city of terrorists, weapons and infrastructure is expected to take much longer. The IDF hopes the maneuver might be halted through a hostage deal, once Hamas realizes it is about to lose the major stronghold it built in the city. But as things currently stand, there is no certainty this will happen.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir preferred to secure a hostage release deal, but during cabinet deliberations he blocked the original plan proposed by the political leadership. The operational plan that was ultimately approved is a compromise designed by Southern Command, and Halevi will lead its execution.
As of the start of the operation, only about 320,000 Palestinians had evacuated Gaza City, out of roughly 800,000 who were there before. This means around half a million civilians remain. Security officials said they expect many more to flee south once the fighting begins, but warned that a significant civilian presence will continue to complicate the advance.
Earlier today, the IDF struck a high-rise building in Gaza City that Hamas had been using for intelligence gathering and observation posts to track Israeli troop movements and plan attacks.
