Israel Reduces Plans to Surround Gaza From Two Months to Several Weeks

Israeli forces have completed one stage of Operation Gideon’s Chariots and will soon move on to the next — directly into Gaza City.

9TV reported this news, citing Chief of the IDF General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.

According to Zamir, Hamas has lost a significant portion of its capabilities, and the Israeli command has approved a plan for further action.

He emphasized that the offensive against Hamas was not a ‘one-time’ or local operation but part of a “long-term, planned program with a multi-front vision aimed at defeating the entire axis of resistance, primarily Iran.”

As part of preparations for the new phase, the army has developed a plan to evacuate about 800,000 Palestinians from Gaza City.

Kan Television and Radio Corporation reported on August 16th that the relocation of residents to the south of the strip would begin in roughly a week.

Previously, it was estimated that surrounding the city would take two months; the military now expects the operation to last several weeks.
The main phase to block and clear Gaza City is expected to start in September.

It was also reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recent interview that he felt like a participant in a ‘historical and spiritual mission’ and was strongly committed to the concept of ‘Greater Israel.’