Israeli Defense Minister Approves Plan to Conquer Gaza City, Report Says

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a move signaling a potential major escalation in the 22-month conflict, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has approved a detailed military plan to seize control of Gaza City and authorized the call-up of approximately 60,000 reservists to execute the operation, according to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday.

This significant military preparation unfolds against a backdrop of intense and delicate diplomatic efforts, where mediators have expressed cautious optimism after Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal they say is nearly identical to one previously endorsed by Israel.

The report by the Asharq Al-Awsat, which a spokesperson from the Israeli defense ministry confirmed to the Agence France-Presse (AFP), details a high-level meeting between Katz and military commanders late Tuesday to finalize the operational strategy. This development has injected a profound sense of urgency into the ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a pause in the fighting and the release of hostages, as the specter of a large-scale ground offensive looms over the densely populated heart of the Palestinian enclave.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, which cited a post on the social media platform X by Itay Blumental, the military correspondent for Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, the plan is structured to unfold in four distinct phases.

The initial stage involves the construction of humanitarian infrastructure in the southern Gaza Strip, presumably to accommodate displaced civilians. This would be followed by a coordinated evacuation of Gaza City, the subsequent encirclement of the urban center, and finally, a military maneuver into the city itself.

The military preparations have already had a tangible impact on the ground.

The Asharq Al-Awsat report noted that thousands of people, fearing an imminent Israeli ground assault, are estimated to have fled the area in recent days, moving toward points further west and south within the shattered territory, compounding an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.

This looming offensive provides a stark context for the recent diplomatic activities, which had gained new momentum over the past week. Mediators Egypt and Qatar have been vigorously pushing proposals to restart indirect talks, building on a U.S.-backed ceasefire framework.

The diplomatic track appeared to achieve a significant step forward on Monday when Hamas announced its agreement to a new ceasefire initiative presented by the Egyptian and Qatari mediators, signaling a readiness to de-escalate after months of devastating conflict.

As previously reported by Kurdistan24, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, described Hamas’s response as “very positive.”

He emphasized that the proposal accepted by the group was “almost identical to what the Israeli side had previously agreed to,” raising hopes for a breakthrough after a prolonged deadlock in negotiations. Al-Ansari underscored the gravity of the moment, issuing a stark warning: “If we don’t reach a deal now, we will face a humanitarian catastrophe that will make all those that preceded it pale in comparison.”

The plan reportedly includes a two-month truce, the staggered release of the 50 remaining hostages, and a significant expansion of humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza. Egyptian officials confirmed that Cairo and Doha had finalized the draft in line with a U.S. framework originally introduced by Washington’s Middle East envoy, Steve Whitkoff.

Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service, told Al-Qahera News that the finalized proposal was submitted to Israel, stating, "The ball is now in its court."

However, Israel’s official response has been firm and has not publicly embraced the proposal accepted by Hamas.

On Tuesday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s policy “remains unchanged,” demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all 50 hostages. The statement declared that Israel has entered the “decisive stage” of its war against Hamas and stressed, “we will not leave any hostage behind.” An Israeli official further confirmed that the government’s position aligns with principles previously set by the security cabinet to conclude the war.

This diplomatic and military maneuvering is occurring in the 22nd month of a conflict that began on Oct. 7, 2023, following a large-scale attack on Israel by Hamas. The ensuing Israeli military campaign has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced the vast majority of Gaza's population, and prompted repeated warnings from international aid agencies about the severe risk of famine and the spread of disease. Two previous ceasefires collapsed without leading to a lasting resolution.

The international community now watches as two parallel tracks—one of intensified military preparation and the other of fragile, high-stakes diplomacy—unfold simultaneously. The approval of a major offensive on Gaza City by the Israeli defense minister introduces a powerful element of pressure on all parties, creating a critical juncture where the outcome remains deeply uncertain. Whether the current diplomatic opening can avert a new and devastating phase of the war hangs in the balance.