Egypt Daily News – Israeli media have revealed that Netanyahu has decided to call up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to expand its military operation in the Gaza Strip.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, security consultations held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday concluded with a decision that, over the coming days or weeks, tens of thousands of reservists will be summoned, and the war in Gaza will be significantly escalated.
The Israeli radio reported that Netanyahu held several hours of discussions about broadening the scope of fighting in Gaza. The conclusion, according to sources, was clear in light of his stated war objectives: Israel will act more aggressively in Gaza in the near future and will gradually intensify the fighting.
Sources also stated that the timing of the expanded operation depends on several variables, including renewed pressure from mediators on Hamas to respond to a proposal that involves the release of 10 hostages in exchange for a ceasefire lasting several months.
A security source told Israel Army Radio that no final decision was made today regarding expanding the ground operation, and that such a decision is expected during the upcoming meeting of the Security and Political Cabinet on Sunday.
Israel resumed its devastating bombardment of Gaza on March 18, followed by a new ground incursion, after a roughly two-month pause that began with a ceasefire agreement with Hamas on January 19. That truce stalled amid difficulties in extending the initial phase or moving into the second phase of the deal.
