Israel draws up plans for new ground operation in parts of Gaza

(MENAFN) Israel has reportedly prepared plans for a potential new ground offensive in areas of Gaza currently under the control of the Palestinian armed group Hamas, according to reports citing informed officials.

Under the framework of a 20-point peace roadmap proposed by US President Donald Trump, Gaza is presently divided roughly in half between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas. The plan envisions Hamas disarming while Israel withdraws from the 141-square-mile (365-square-kilometer) territory.

Reports indicate that Hamas’s reluctance to fully honor its commitment to lay down arms could trigger a renewed Israeli military operation in Gaza. Arab officials familiar with the discussions said Hamas is willing to relinquish heavy weaponry but intends to retain small arms. Israeli estimates suggest the group possesses approximately 60,000 rifles.

Hamas said last month that it remains committed to the ceasefire despite “repeated Israeli violations.” However, it stressed that it would not surrender its weapons “as long as the occupation remains.”

Officials from Arab and Israeli sides said Hamas has been working to rebuild its military capabilities since the conflict, including repairing sections of its damaged tunnel network. The group has also reportedly secured new funding to resume salary payments to its fighters.

Israeli officials said there are no immediate plans for the IDF to enter Hamas-controlled areas of Gaza, as Israeli authorities are prepared to wait for progress on Trump’s peace initiative.

In late December, the US president warned that Hamas would be given “a very short period of time to disarm” and that failure to do so would mean “then there’ll be hell to pay for them.”

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