Netanyahu Orders Accelerated Offensive on Gaza
(MENAFN) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced late Wednesday that he has instructed the rapid advancement of Israeli forces into Gaza City, disregarding efforts by mediators who have been awaiting Tel Aviv’s reply to a ceasefire initiative for over two days.
In a message posted on the American social media platform X, Netanyahu’s office stated that before greenlighting plans to advance into Gaza City, he "had directed that the timetables for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of (the Palestinian group) Hamas be shortened."
This directive signals a more aggressive approach toward achieving Israel’s military goals.
Earlier that same day, the Israeli military began issuing mobilization notices to 60,000 reserve soldiers following Defense Minister Israel Katz’s endorsement of operational strategies to enter Gaza City under the campaign known as Operation Gideon’s Chariots 2.
The initial phase of this offensive, launched on May 16 and named Gideon’s Chariots, targeted Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip.
However, several former Israeli officials and military analysts have conceded that the operation did not meet its key objectives — namely the defeat of Hamas and the complete release of Israeli hostages.
Despite these setbacks, the Israeli army has claimed that it currently holds control over approximately 75% of the Gaza Strip.
According to a prominent Israeli newspaper, the Israeli Security Cabinet is scheduled to convene on Thursday to finalize approval for the military's Gaza City offensive.
“Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes talks continue regarding a hostage deal (for the Israelis held in Gaza). Netanyahu is less inclined toward a partial deal, which Hamas had agreed to, but he has not completely closed the door on it,” the report continued.
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