Netanyahu has no intention of halting the occupation of Gaza City

Assessments within the Israeli security establishment indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu realizes that the continuation of his government is dependent on the plan to reoccupy Gaza City, and that the absence of this operation could hasten its collapse.

Netanyahu is determined to proceed with the operation (Gideon 2) until the end.

Netanyahu realizes that without the operation, he won’t be able to maintain the cohesion of the government and it will disintegrate.

Extremist ministers, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, are threatening to withdraw from Netanyahu’s government if a deal is reached to halt Israel’s ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, which has been ongoing for nearly 23 months.

Regarding the exchange deal, the military source said that two weeks ago, Israel was negotiating according to (US Presidential Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff’s plan to release some of the hostages without committing to ending the war.

He added, “Now, after Hamas agreed to all of Israel’s demands, including the return of ten living abductees, and without committing to a ceasefire, Tel Aviv is speaking differently about a comprehensive agreement and a ceasefire”.

The source stressed that these are the reasons why the Israeli army is seriously preparing for a new phase of fighting.

Reactivating the forces and calling up the reserves on September 2, after the summer vacation, is considered confirmation that the direction is to move forward to the end of the military operation.

The Israeli army estimates that the fighting in Gaza could continue for many more months, and for this reason, the call-up of reserve forces will be gradual.

The Israeli army intends, early this week, to continue its plan to force residents to flee south from Gaza City.

On Thursday, Israel informed hospital directors in Gaza City of the need to prepare evacuation plans and transfer patients to the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, south of the Strip, according to the same source, in preparation for the reoccupation.

On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the gates of hell will soon open on Hamas in Gaza unless they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war, most notably the release of all kidnapped soldiers and the disarmament of Hamas.

Katz went on to threaten, “If they don’t agree, Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will turn into Rafah and Beit Hanoun,” which were completely destroyed during the war.

This came in light of Netanyahu and members of the security cabinet approving the army’s plan to occupy Gaza City, during security consultations.

On Wednesday, Katz approved the Gaza occupation plan presented to him by Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

He said the operation would be called “Gideon’s Wagons 2” a reference to the operation the army launched following the resumption of hostilities against the Gaza Strip last March, but which failed to achieve its goals of eliminating Hamas and returning captives.

The Israeli military said in a statement on Wednesday that it expects fighting to continue into 2026, and that approximately 130,000 reserve soldiers will be called up, while the service of those currently active in military operations will be extended by about a month.

The Israeli army stated that it had issued approximately 60,000 call-ups to the reserves, and that approximately 20,000 reservists who had already been called up would receive notice of an extension of their call-up period.

Army officials added that an additional round of reserve call-ups is expected to take place next November, and another round in early 2026.

The Israeli army also announced the participation of five divisions in this operation, in addition to the Gaza Division.

The army estimated last week that the fighting inside the city would be characterized by a guerrilla war carried out by small, multiple cells… in a densely populated area.