Israeli military head war plans

Tel Aviv, Israel (dpa) — Israeli Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir has approved operational plans aimed at expanding the campaign in the Gaza Strip, the military said on Wednesday, following Israel’s announcement that it plans to capture Gaza City.

During a meeting attended by military officials and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service, Zamir “approved the main framework for the IDF’s operational plan in the Gaza Strip,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

“The Chief of the General Staff emphasized the importance of increasing troop readiness and preparedness for reserve recruitment, while providing time to regroup and recover ahead of the upcoming missions,” it said.

The Israeli Security Cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided on Friday that the military should take over Gaza City – possibly with the aim of taking control of the entire Gaza Strip in order to eliminate the Palestinian extremist group Hamas.

The timeframe for such an operation remains unclear, with local media reporting the military may need two months to prepare.

According to reports, Zamir has expressed scepticism about the plan, warning that it could endanger the lives of soldiers and hostages believed to be held in Gaza City.