Southern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor presented a plan to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir for a return to fighting in Gaza, along with options for continued operations in the Gaza Strip, Walla reported on Wednesday.
The plan for resuming combat also includes evacuation measures and the relocation of the population to new humanitarian zones. A security source familiar with the details of the plan told Walla that the plan, which was developed by the Southern Command in collaboration with the Air Force, Intelligence Directorate, and Operations Directorate, also includes a phased plan for various scenarios.
The source further noted that the collapse of the ceasefire, providing room for mediation talks with Hamas, including a renewal of fighting, largely depends on developments with Iran. According to him, signing a last-minute agreement with the Ayatollahs' regime could bring the IDF closer to resuming fighting against Hamas in Gaza, while the renewal of fighting with Iran or in Lebanon against Hezbollah could delay the fighting to an unknown date.
Security sources estimate that the chances of the Iranian regime reaching an agreement on the nuclear project are "slim to none," and therefore, the security-political reality simultaneously makes the three arenas - Iran, Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip - extremely volatile. According to estimates, the renewal of fighting depends on the priorities set by the political leadership.
Meanwhile, the IDF's Operations Directorate, led by Maj.-Gen. Itzik Cohen, has ordered the transfer of Division 98 from Lebanon to the Gaza Strip.
US Gaza Strip envoy pushing Trump's points plan
It was also reported to Walla that the US envoy to the Gaza Strip, Nikolay Mladenov, has been exerting significant efforts behind the scenes to promote US President Donald Trump's "points plan," which includes, among other things, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and transferring authority from Hamas to another entity. However, the plan has not made any progress so far.
Mladenov is currently engaged in a "last-ditch effort," which includes confidential talks aimed at bringing about a turnaround, but Israeli security sources have expressed pessimism to the political leadership regarding the likelihood of Hamas disarming. At this stage, according to information presented by the IDF's Intelligence Division head to Defense Minister Israel Katz, Hamas continues to operate to partially rehabilitate the Gaza Strip under its control, including rehabilitating the military wing and preparing for war against Israel.