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Israel Draws Up New War Plans to Pressure Hamas

(Wall Street Journal) Dov Lieber - Israel has drafted plans for a series of escalatory steps to ratchet up pressure on Hamas now that talks to extend a seven-week ceasefire have stalled, plans that could lead to a resumption of hostilities in the 16-month war in Gaza. The steps kicked off in the past week with Israel blocking the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza. Ultimately, Israel could re-invade Gaza with far more military power than it has deployed so far while it attacks the remnants of Hamas. "There's a determination to go back in and finish Hamas no matter what happens," said former Pentagon official Michael Makovsky, now president of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America in Washington. "I think Israel will go in tougher and stronger." Israel wants Hamas to release the dozens of hostages it still holds, something Hamas has said it would do only if there is a permanent end to the fighting, which Israel won't agree to. Israel also wants Hamas to relinquish power and disarm, which the U.S.-designated terrorist group refuses to do. Hamas is insisting on opening talks about an end to the war and refuses to discuss disarming. Israeli security analysts say the country is in a much better position to go into Gaza than it was at the beginning of the war. Its ammunition stores are replenished, the limits and pressure imposed on it by the Biden administration have been lifted, and it no longer needs to keep large numbers of troops pinned down on its northern border to guard against an attack by Hizbullah.
2025-03-09 00:00:00
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