Israel plans to resume fighting in the Gaza Strip as a last resort if the radical Palestinian movement Hamas refuses to extend the first phase of the ceasefire agreement and release all hostages, the state-run Kan TV and Radio Company reported.
According to it, the Israeli side intends to gradually increase pressure on Hamas in addition to cutting off humanitarian aid access to the enclave. Israel may additionally announce an evacuation of the Gaza population from north to south and, if necessary, completely cut off the Palestinian enclave's power supply. The latest planned means is a return to combat with heavier weapons supplied by the United States, Kahn notes.
In mid-January, Israel and Hamas, brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, agreed to implement a ceasefire in Gaza, which came into effect on January 19. The first stage of the agreement was completed on March 1, with 33 hostages being returned from the strip in 42 days. In exchange, the Jewish state released more than 1,500 Palestinians from prison, some of whom had been expelled from the Palestinian territories.
On March 2, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the suspension of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip and the closure of all crossings. According to the Israeli side, this happened because Hamas refused to accept the plan of the US special envoy Stephen Witkoff to extend the ceasefire in the enclave. Netanyahu warned that if the radicals continue to refuse to negotiate, they will face “additional consequences“.