Israeli officials are reportedly set to discuss plans for a complete occupation of Gaza with U.S. officials, an Israeli official told the Times of Israel Sunday.
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer plans to meet with National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and other U.S. diplomats this week, with the Israeli Prime Minister’s office declining to expand on details of the meeting, according to the Times of Israel. Israel resumed military action against Hamas Mar. 18 after two U.S. proposals for hostage releases were reportedly shot down by Hamas.
“Now there is new leadership, there is the backup from the U.S.,” Amir Avivi, former deputy commander of the military’s Gaza divisions, told the Times of Israel. “The plans [for the now-resumed Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza] are decisive. There will be a full-scale attack and they will not stop until Hamas is eradicated completely.”
The plan would reportedly include aid distribution in the war-torn region in addition to a heavy troop presence, according to the Times of Israel.
After the ceasefire broke down, Israel conducted a wave of airstrikes pounding dozens of targets followed by ground incursions into strategic positions in Southern and central Gaza. The new offensive is novel in that Israeli forces are reportedly targeting Hamas civilian leaders as well as military leaders, according to Times of Israel.
President Donald Trump issued numerous warnings to Hamas to release the hostages, issuing a “last warning” to the terrorist organization Mar. 5 to release the remaining persons “immediately.”
Trump floated the idea of the U.S. taking control of Gaza in February during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that the area was “symbol of death and destruction for so many decades.”
The Israeli PM’s office and the State Department did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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