Israeli defense officials said Wednesday that the IDF is nearing control of roughly 30% of Gaza, as its forces press ahead with operations in both the southern and northern parts of the Strip, the Jerusalem Post reports.
The 36th Division has now taken on a significant role in the fighting, shifting its efforts to the northern section of Rafah in southern Gaza. This development comes on top of ongoing operations by Division 252 in northern and central Gaza, as well as Division 143 working in the southern areas of Rafah since mid-March.
Military strategists believe these maneuvers could soon sever Rafah from Khan Yunis, isolating Hamas strongholds and complicating their movements.
Even with the broadened scope of the campaign, military sources emphasized that they continue to steer clear of zones where hostages are believed to be held, to avoid endangering them.
They also noted that while the deployment of three full divisions has prompted some additional reservist mobilizations, the government is not expected to launch a massive wave of call-ups unless a substantially larger offensive is initiated.
Military officials issued a warning that if Hamas refuses to finalize a new hostage agreement in the near future, the IDF is prepared to launch a more extensive assault within days or weeks.
However, Defense Minister Israel Katz dismissed any suggestions, including one posed by The Jerusalem Post, that Israel was gradually shifting toward a long-term military presence in Gaza.
He reaffirmed that the primary mission remains securing the release of hostages and declined to speculate on whether Hamas might attempt to wait out the current military pressure.
Reports circulating about potential mass reservist refusal were denied by defense officials. They rejected claims that up to half the forces would decline to serve due to recent government decisions—such as not prolonging a ceasefire to rescue more captives, eroding the authority of the judiciary, or seeking to replace Shin Bet head Ronen Bar.
Additionally, military sources pushed back on the theory that holding larger swaths of territory in Gaza with static forces would inevitably lead to an increase in battlefield casualties.
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