Israel’s leaders have articulated various goals for their expanding ground and air assault in Gaza, leading to confusion over the objectives and potential terms for ending the renewed campaign.
The primary objective remains to pressure Hamas into releasing the hostages still held in the enclave, with negotiations currently at an impasse. On Thursday, the military issued additional evacuation warnings for residents in eastern Gaza City ahead of operations in that area.
Other goals have emerged, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assertion that Israel has intensified its actions in Gaza by capturing more territory and targeting militants. He reiterated the ultimate aim of dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and ending the group’s governance, a goal that has not been achieved despite over a year of conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the military is seizing territory to protect its forces and border towns, indicating a potential longer-term presence in Gaza. Over the weekend, Netanyahu mentioned plans for the voluntary emigration of Gazans, but details regarding the process and destinations remain unclear.
Uncertainty appears to be a strategic element, as Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, emphasized the importance of maintaining operational ambiguity and surprise, stating that the release of hostages is the only factor that could halt military advances.
Israeli forces are reportedly dividing Gaza into separate districts to encircle and restrict the movements of Hamas fighters. However, analysts question the effectiveness of these operations, noting that previous military efforts have not achieved the desired outcomes in the past 15 months.
Assaf Orion, a retired Israeli brigadier general, remarked that the government has yet to present a viable diplomatic framework to translate military achievements into long-term war objectives, raising concerns about the costs incurred.
It remains uncertain how the current military campaign will aid in the release of hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, as Hamas insists that negotiations are the only means to secure their freedom. Former hostages have reported worsening conditions amid increased military pressure, fearing for their lives from both captors and bombardments.
Orion noted that the renewed offensive may endanger the lives of remaining hostages. A temporary cease-fire with Hamas collapsed on March 18 following a deadly Israeli air attack after negotiations for an extension stalled.
Since the cease-fire breakdown, Israeli ground troops have retaken the Netzarim Corridor, which separates the northern and southern Gaza Strip. On Wednesday, Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces were capturing another east-west corridor north of one already controlled along the Egyptian border.
The military has reinforced parts of a buffer zone within Gaza, expanded ground raids in both northern and southern regions, and issued extensive evacuation orders, resulting in the displacement of over 140,000 people since the cease-fire ended, according to the United Nations.
More than 1,000 individuals in Gaza have died since the cease-fire collapse, according to the Gaza health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. Additionally, Israel has halted the entry of commercial goods and humanitarian aid into Gaza for the past month, leading to price increases and shortages, as reported by the World Food Program.
Gaza health officials estimate that over 50,000 people have died in the conflict sparked by the Hamas-led attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities, including 250 individuals taken as hostages.