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Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-849486
MK Arye Deri: IDF Following Structured Plan to Conquer Gaza
(Jerusalem Post) Eliav Breuer - Shas party chairman MK Arye Deri, a permanent invitee to Israel's National Security Cabinet meetings, said in an interview published Wednesday: "The new [IDF] Chief of Staff and his deputy have a structured plan that includes the gradual evacuation of the population, the return of the IDF to certain areas, and essentially, the ground conquest of the entire Gaza Strip. The intention is not to hold the territory but to topple Hamas's rule and bring the hostages home." In the hostage negotiations, Israel is insisting on the proposal by U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff - i.e., the release of 50% of live and dead hostages at the start of negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and the release of the rest once an agreement is reached. Israel would only agree to a permanent ceasefire on "one fundamental condition: the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip; the expulsion of all senior Hamas leaders and commanders, the entire leadership of the organization; and the establishment of an alternative governance structure agreed upon in advance," Deri said.