IDF Forces in Gaza
The IDF said it recently ended the siege of Tel al-Sultan in Gaza. (IDF video)
Israel’s war in Gaza was restored with all its might after the collapse of a two-month ceasefire and negotiated the release of the remaining hostages. The IDF launched a new air strike, followed by coordinated ground operations in three key areas: Netzarim Corridorthe northern coastline of Gaza and the southern Rafa district.
With the expansion of U.S. support and a favorable shift in regional landscape, the next phase marks a significant development of Israel’s military goals, from devaluing Hamas’s battlefield capabilities to eliminating its ability to dominate.
“We’ve been fighting for 10 days,” said Major General Yaakov Amidror (Res.), a former Israeli national security adviser. “All they did was fire seven rockets. That tells you how much damage we’ve done.”
Israel launches new ground operations in Gaza
IDF troops surrounded Tel al-Sultan in Gasarafa to demolish the terror infrastructure in the area. The operation was to strengthen control and expand security zones in southern Gaza, the IDF said. (IDF)
A senior Israeli security official told Fox News Numbers: “We grabbed the arsenal, the lab and the command center. Hamas today does not operate like the military. It’s a dangerous terrorist organization, but it’s not October 7.”
According to Israeli data, most of Hamas’ senior commands have been eliminated, leaving only scattered units.
“They lost experienced leadership,” the official said. “They operate in survival mode.”
This time, Israel operates under conditions of significant improvement in both military and diplomacy.
“The strategic environment has changed,” Amidror told Fox News Digital. “Hezbollah is weak, Iran is restricted, and the U.S. government is providing us with real support. They are not telling us where to bomb or how to fight.”
There are fewer threats in other aspects, from Trump administrationIDF has expanded its scope to include Hamas’ political leadership.
“We’re not only going to devalue military capabilities,” Amidror said. “We’re demolishing the structure that allows Hamas to rule.”
During the pause of the fight, Hamas consolidated control of humanitarian aid, seized supplies, reselled goods and used them to recruit fighter jets and maintain loyalty. Israeli officials now say that this is not allowed to continue.
Trump says we will take over the Gaza Strip and rebuild it to stabilize the Middle East
Hamas terrorists released hostages to the Red Cross as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. (TPS IL)
“We are working to find a solution so that humanitarian aid can reach civilians, rather than be weaponized by Hamas,” explained the senior Israeli security official. He noted that Gaza currently has enough food reserves and Israel is developing a new delivery mechanism that completely bypasses Hamas.
Hamas was imprisoned with fifty-nine Israeli hostages. Their ongoing detention sparked nationwide protests, with the family urging the government to prioritize negotiations for release. However, the new battle puts these hostages in greater danger.
“The only real limit is the hostage,” Amidror acknowledged. “We want them to be alive and to fight while trying to protect them is a huge challenge.”
“My position is that even if we need to commit to end the war and restore the safe perimeter, we must first restore the hostages.” “We can commit to it, but only Hamas returns all hostages to all hostages.
From the location on the Israeli side of the border on March 18, 2025, Israeli soldiers were sitting on a tank in front of the northern Gaza Strip. (Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Security officials said Military pressure It is part of a coordinated effort to bring hostages home.
“Due to the pressure we put in when Netzarim refused to release Arbel Yehud, they released a group of hostages,” he said.
Despite the tactical gains, Israeli leaders knew that war could not eliminate Hamas’ ideology. The mission, they said, is to prevent it from reigning Gaza.
More aid should be introduced into the Gaza Strip. Why not help?
Israeli troops surround Tel al-Sultan in Gaza. (IDF)
“We are not going back to the days when we have them quietly formed an army,” Ben Barak told Fox News Digital. “Every time we see military training or smuggling arms, we go on strike. They will never have tanks or armored vehicles again.”
Ben Barak said Israel cannot stay in Gaza for a long time: “If we keep it for 19 years like we have been in Lebanon, we will be ashamed. The only way to win is to let others replace Hamas and rule Gaza.”
He also pointed out that the West Bank is part of the pattern: “In the West Bank, the Palestinian government ruled and we work from the periphery when needed. We need the same action in the Gaza region: internationally supported civil authorities to rebuild the (Gaza) Strip (Gaza) and keep Hamas out.”
Still, he warned of the peaceful fantasy.
“There will not be peace in the next 20 years. But, like Egypt has done to the Muslim Brotherhood, we can suppress Hamas’ ideology and prevent it from taking root again.”
Ben Barak also said Gaza people who hope to leave It should be allowed: “Let them go out. If they have a visa and want to go, Israel should be liberalized. This will make military operations easier in less populated areas.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
Now Israeli forces are deeply embedded in Gaza while operating in the northern, southern and central regions.
“These are not symbolic actions,” Amiddle said. “We will position ourselves in the next stage. We will eventually need to reach every tunnel, blow up the infrastructure and kill every Hamas terrorist. This is possible, but it will take at least a year.”
