The Ministry of Defense approved Operation 'Gideon's Chariots II' to take Gaza

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, approved the army's plan to seize Gaza City, as part of the new "Operation Gideon's Chariots II."

The proposal was presented by the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, along with the military leadership.

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff, General Tamir Yadai; the heads of the Military Intelligence Directorate, the Operations Directorate, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), as well as representatives of Shin Bet and other senior security officials.

As part of the preparation, the army will issue 50,000 new draft orders for reservists, in addition to those already in service.

Additionally, a plan was approved to evacuate civilians from Gaza City to the south of the Strip, with the aim of isolating Hamas terrorists before the offensive.

A senior official indicated that planning "continues as normal" and that the objective is to capture Gaza City unless an agreement is reached that includes the release of all hostages and the end of the war under the terms set by the prime minister.

The announcement coincides with a new proposal from Hamas, which offered to release 10 hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire.

However, Israeli political sources ruled out accepting the plan, arguing that it doesn't include the release of the 50 hostages still held by Hamas.

"Israel's policy is clear and has not changed: we demand the release of all hostages. We are at a decisive stage against Hamas and we will not leave anyone behind", stated a senior official in Jerusalem.