Israel’s Gaza City offensive may be weeks away, leaving time for possible ceasefire
Two officials say the evacuation of civilians could take until October, despite Netanyahu’s vow to begin the offensive ‘fairly quickly’
Israel’s new offensive in Gaza City could take weeks to start, leaving the door open for a ceasefire, officials say, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would get under way “fairly quickly” and end the war with Hamas’ defeat.
The plan raised international alarm over the harm it could bring to the shattered enclave, where a hunger crisis has worsened. On Sunday, Netanyahu summoned foreign journalists to explain the blueprint, which includes what he described as a surge of humanitarian aid.
Netanyahu said that Israel will first allow civilians to leave the battle zones before forces move in on Gaza City, which he described as one of Hamas’ last two remaining strongholds, whose defeat will bring an end to the war.
But Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a security cabinet member who has demanded even tougher action, said the plan was designed to pressure Hamas back to the negotiating table, rather than defeat the group and urged Netanyahu to scrap it.