Title: Israel Increases Pressure on Hamas in Gaza Strip
Israel is ramping up pressure on the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip after the group’s public refusal of an Egyptian proposal to renew negotiations for a hostage deal. It is estimated that this move will lead to several days of intense fighting, particularly in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The political and security system assessment suggests that in order to advance the possibility of releasing hostages, Israel’s forces must increase pressure on Yahya Sinwar and other top Hamas leaders. With Hamas recently hardening its positions, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are expected to increase their attacks and place greater pressure on the local population.
The main focal points are anticipated to be the camps in the central and northern areas of the Gaza Strip, including Khan Yunis, the Darje Tufah area, and the Rafah area.
Zvika Yehezkali stated, “Sinwar is not under pressure, as far as he is concerned, he is a winner.” Colonel Kobi Marom, on Radio 103, indicated, “I have no doubt that this pressure on Hamas and Sinwar personally will give its signals in the next two or three weeks.”
Marom emphasized the need to manage expectations, acknowledging that the goal of destroying Hamas and its military infrastructure within two weeks is unrealistic. However, he believes that significant pressure from the IDF will damage Hamas and potentially pave the way for progress on the hostage deal.
Israel holds the view that Sinwar’s decision to end the previous truce was based on the assumption that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza would lead to international pressure on Israel. Yet, as international pressure remains limited, Israel is leveraging the dire situation in the Gaza Strip as a means of pressuring Sinwar.
The World Health Organization has expressed concerns about the increasing strain on hospitals in Gaza due to Israel’s escalated attacks on Hamas. The organization has called for a lasting ceasefire to prevent more deaths and injuries while ensuring uninterrupted aid delivery.
The situation in Gaza is indeed escalating, with Israel intensifying its pressure on Hamas to bring about change in the ongoing conflict.