Israeli plans to “significantly deepen” its military operations in Gaza after failed truce talks with Hamas, but the upcoming offensive will likely wait until after President Trump’s tour of the Middle East this month.
The Israel Defense Forces called on tens of thousands of reservists to mobilize Saturday night, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorization of expanded operations in Gaza during an hours-long security meeting Friday.
The plans were expected to be voted on Sunday by the full cabinet.
“As long as Hamas does not release our hostages, we will significantly deepen our military action,” an Israeli official told Ynet after the meeting.
The soldiers are expected to report for duty this week, according to reports.
Some reservists may be sent to other Israeli fronts including Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank, to fill in for Israeli military who will be re-deployed to the Strip, the Times of Israel reported.
The Israel Defense Forces also signaled that the operation would be carried out in phases, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The planned offensive likely won’t occur until after Trump’s visit to the Middle East on May 13 for meetings with Gulf leaders, The Times of Israel reported.
In his first official foreign trip, Trump is expected to present his vision for US involvement in the region, touching on issues related to investments, weapons sales and artificial intelligence at a summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Axios reported. He’s also expected to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Israel is not on Trump’s itinerary because a hostage and cease-fire deal isn’t imminent, the outlet reported.
Israel is also aiming to allow more time for hostage negotiations.
Netanyahu’s office on Friday denied reports that Israel rejected a hostage-ceasefire deal proposal proposed by Egyptian mediators, and insisted that Hamas terrorists have remained the obstacle since their surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
The prime minister reiterated that the “ultimate goal” is to defeat Hamas.
The comments come amid revelations that even fewer hostages are alive than previously thought.
“Out of 59, you had 24 that were living, and now I understand that it’s not even that number,” Trump said Thursday during an event at the White House.
The condition of Edan Alexander, the last American-Israeli captive, is “hopefully positive” but unknown, he added.
The IDF is gearing up to oversee the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza as part of an agreement between Israel, the US and representatives of a new international foundation.
A new system aims to prevent Hamas from stealing and selling supplies to pay its members and using it as leverage over civilians, officials told Axios.
International organizations say humanitarian conditions are dire since Israel ended a cease-fire and began enforcing a blockade in Gaza three months ago.
Trump said he urged Netanyahu last week to allow food and medicine into the battered region.
With Post wires