The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported on Saturday evening that Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and the head of the internal security service, Ronan Bar, approved military plans to continue fighting in the Gaza Strip during their meeting today. The authority quoted Halevi as saying in the meeting: "We are focusing on further dismantling Hamas and creating conditions for the return of more hostages."
The broadcasting authority did not disclose details regarding the army's plans for its operations in Gaza. On his part, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Saturday that the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip is not aimed at permanently controlling the territory, but rather at undermining Hamas's capabilities and ending its control over Gaza.
Gallant accused Hamas in a press conference of causing the collapse of the humanitarian ceasefire after the group refused to release 17 women and children it is still holding. He stated: "As a result of Hamas's decision not to implement what was agreed upon and according to the decisions of the war cabinet, I instructed the Israeli army to resume fire yesterday morning."
He added: "As long as Hamas does not adhere to what is stipulated, we will continue to intensify the fire and will act until we achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves; I am closely monitoring the military operations." Gallant indicated that the ground operation would continue in Gaza, stating: "About a month ago, when we were preparing for a ground entry, many in Hamas believed they could stop us."
He continued: "They thought they could create a division within Israeli society between those who believed it was necessary to negotiate and those who thought it was essential to enter." Gallant emphasized that the intensification of military operations leads to striking Hamas and eliminating more leaders and militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday that he had instructed to expand military operations in Gaza, pointing out that Tel Aviv would not succumb to "growing international pressures." Netanyahu said in a press conference: "We will not stop until we defeat (Hamas); we will continue fighting. I have issued instructions, in coordination with the war cabinet, to expand military operations in Gaza. We have recently destroyed many of Hamas's military sites and eliminated fighters and its infrastructure."
He warned Hezbollah against "making any mistake that would drag Lebanon into a large-scale war leading to its destruction."
