IDF soldiers in southern Israel on the border with Gaza. (Photo by Michael Giladi/Flash90)
The Trump administration has reportedly requested that Israel pause the ground component of its expanded Gaza campaign, in order to give hostage talks one final opportunity before the IDF permanently seizes Gaza.
By World Israel News Staff
The Trump administration has requested that Israel halt its planned takeover of the Gaza Strip to give hostage deal talks in Doha, Qatar one last chance at reaching a breakthrough, according to a report published on Sunday afternoon.
Two unnamed sources familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post that the US has asked Israel to push off its plan to seize and hold the entire Gaza Strip, and to resume negotiations with Hamas.
Earlier this month, Israel launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots, an expanded Gaza campaign featuring intensified aerial operations against terrorist forces in the Gaza Strip, along with plans to capture and permanently hold the entire coastal enclave.
The IDF has recently deployed all of its regular infantry and armored brigades to the Gaza Strip as part of a build-up for the planned takeover of Gaza, Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, reported on Sunday morning.
Thus far, only the aerial component of Operation Gideon’s Chariots has been initiated, though the recent mass evacuations of Gazans in areas around the periphery of the Strip has led to speculation of an impending ground campaign.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz (Likud) has declared that once the ground operation begins, it will not be halted until “all objectives are achieved.”
During a security cabinet hearing on the planned operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told ministers that once territory is captured in Gaza as part of the operation, it will not be yielded even as part of a future agreement.
While Netanyahu has indicated his willingness to agree to a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, along the lines of the 50 to 60-day truce floated by special White House Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Jerusalem recalled its negotiating team from Qatar last Thursday, after talks with Hamas reached an impasse.
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