Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing to authorize a full-scale ground invasion of Gaza City, driven by a belief within the Israeli military that the operation is essential for the political survival of his government. As the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) mobilizes for a conflict that could last several months, sources indicate the decision to enter Gaza is as much about political calculus as it is about military strategy.
The assessment was detailed in a report by The Jerusalem Post, which cited a senior source within the defense establishment. "The impression is that the prime minister is going through with the operation... he understands that he cannot keep hold of his government without it - it will fall apart," the source stated, suggesting that without a decisive military campaign, Netanyahu's ruling coalition would collapse.
In preparation for the potential offensive, the IDF has initiated a significant mobilization, issuing call-ups to approximately 60,000 reservists earlier this week. Military planners anticipate a prolonged engagement, with officials estimating that fighting in Gaza could continue for months. Further phased call-ups are reportedly scheduled for early November, with additional drafts expected in December and January to sustain the operation.
Publicly, Netanyahu has framed the impending operation in purely security-focused terms. During a visit to the Gaza Division on Thursday, he confirmed his approval of the IDF's operational plans. "We are at a decisive stage," Netanyahu declared. "I arrived today... to approve the plans presented by the IDF to me and the defense minister for the takeover of Gaza City and the defeat of Hamas." He asserted that his twin objectives—defeating Hamas and securing the release of all hostages—"go hand in hand," and ordered the immediate initiation of hostage negotiations. However, he clarified that no Israeli delegation would be sent to Qatar or Doha at this time.
Despite the push for a full-scale invasion, security sources assess that Hamas has been severely weakened, noting it "no longer operates as a military force" and that the IDF has struck "all of its senior officers." However, the same sources cautioned that the militant group remains a potent threat. "It must be understood that we are dealing with an irrational terror organization," one official said, adding that Israel must be prepared for the possibility that Hamas will "fight until the last terrorist is killed." This grim outlook underscores the high stakes of an operation that appears increasingly inevitable.
Photo: The source, The Jerusalem Post