Current phase of Israel's ground operation in Gaza may conclude by January
The current phase of the IDF operation in Gaza may conclude by the end of the year (photo: GettyImages)
As of now, the United States anticipates that the current phase of Israel's ground operation in Gaza will continue until January. After that, the military actions are expected to become less intense, according to CNN.
Official sources in the United States believe that the current phase of Israel's ground operation in Gaza will last for several weeks. After this, Jerusalem is expected to shift to a less intense, hyper-localized strategy targeting specific militants and Hamas leaders.
According to these officials, the U.S. has cautioned Israel that it cannot replicate the destructive tactics used in northern Gaza and should do more to reduce civilian casualties.
The U.S. has also informed Israel that as global public opinion turns increasingly against their ground operation, the time for such military actions is rapidly diminishing.
"The support for Israel from the U.S. is not up for discussion, but Israel risks replacing tactical victory with strategic defeat if it does not do more to prevent the loss of civilian lives," said U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Israeli officials claim that part of their ultimate goal is to weaken Hamas to a level where the group cannot repeat an attack like the one on October 7.
However, achieving this goal may not happen by the end of the calendar year, and Israel is expected to continue pursuing it in the next stage of the conflict, which U.S. officials view as a long-term campaign.
Israel-Hamas war
On October 7, Hamas militants invaded Israel, targeting both military and civilian individuals, leading Israel to launch Operation Iron Swords and strike terrorist locations in the Gaza Strip.
A temporary ceasefire for the release of prisoners began between Israel and Hamas on November 24. The parties agreed to a four-day cessation of hostilities but extended it for an additional two days, contingent on the militants releasing more hostages.
On December 1, Israel resumed military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Hamas had violated the terms of the ceasefire.
According to Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israel resumed fire after Hamas refused to release hostages, including two children.
