(Worthy Insights) – Israeli political and military leaders are considering plans for a fresh ground campaign in Gaza that could include a military occupation of the entire enclave for months or longer, according to Washington Post reporting. The plans would mark a significant escalation in Israel’s 17-month operation.
Current and former Israeli officials briefed on the matter told the Washington Post that the new tactics would likely include direct military control of humanitarian aid, targeting Hamas’s civilian leadership, and evacuating women, children and vetted noncombatants to “humanitarian bubbles” while laying siege to those who remain. This approach would intensify tactics first employed last year in northern Gaza.
Israeli officials emphasized they are still waiting for the outcome of ceasefire talks and no decisions have been made on whether – and how – to escalate the current phase of the offensive, which has so far consisted mostly of aerial bombardment, the Washington Post reported. [ Source (Read More…) ]