Israel continues to bomb Hamas and Hezbollah is also increasingly being targeted: the most important responses to the current situation in Gaza

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While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (74) aggressively expands the fighting in Gaza, fellow party member Zachi Hanegbi (66) announces the next war – in Lebanon. Do ceasefires, hostage rescue, humanitarian rescue and early peace in the region still have a chance? Blick answers the most important questions.

What is the military situation in Gaza today?

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has expanded its ground offensive across the Gaza region. The operation is accompanied by artillery fire, rocket attacks and tank brigades. The IDF has gained control of northern Gaza and is moving to capture the Hamas stronghold of Khan Yunis in the south. The Hamas command centers in Jabalia and Shejaiya are being targeted, says security adviser Zachi Hanegbi. On Saturday alone, more than 250 targets were hit from the air and sea, including weapons depots and Hamas bases. 7,000 Hamas fighters have been killed since the fighting began. Hundreds have surrendered in recent days. Images of men standing in a line and stripped down to their underwear went around the world.

What does the Israeli government want?

The main mission is to destroy Hamas. The remaining 138 hostages will then be freed from the terrorists’ control. Hamas’s extensive tunnel system will be blown up or possibly flooded with seawater. It is important to destroy Hamas’ infrastructure and leadership. The fighting would become more intense and military pressure would increase, Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi (55) announced on Saturday evening. A ceasefire has not been negotiated since Hamas announced in early December that it would no longer release hostages without a ceasefire.

Who are the Hamas leaders Israel is hunting in Gaza?

At the top of the list are the head of the Hamas Politburo, Jahia Sinwar (61), and the top commander of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif (58). The first had meticulously planned the October 7 attack on Israeli civilians for years, the second presided over the massacre. Sinwar and Deif are from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. It is believed that their current hiding places are also there. According to Israeli media, Sinwar left Gaza City in the south in an aid convoy immediately after the ground offensive began. When Israeli units surrounded his home in Khan Yunis, the Hamas leader disappeared through underground passages. Israel wants Sinwar’s head. His death is intended to deter Hamas and force it to give up, Hanegbi says.

What is Israel planning for the future in Gaza?

Benjamin Netanyahu speaks about military buffer zones in Gaza, his Foreign Minister Eli Cohen (55) about an ‘occupation light’ of the Gaza Strip, in which Israel can continue to block the Palestinians’ water, energy and electricity supplies, as well as food and medicine imports at some point in the future. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Cohen emphasized “we don’t want to rule the Gaza Strip, we just want to protect our people.” Israel does not want to rebuild Gaza.

Is the war over after a victory over Gaza?

Even with the dismantling of Hamas in Gaza, Israel’s security is far from guaranteed. Hamas is finding increasing support in the West Bank, where radical Jewish settlers are provoking attacks on their Palestinian neighbors. In the northern border area with Lebanon, 60,000 Jews were evacuated because Hezbollah repeatedly attacks with rockets. Israel responds by bombing Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Zachi Hanegbi believes that a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon is very likely. But only if Hamas is defeated. Because, Netanyahu’s national security adviser said in an interview with the Times of Israel, Israel does not want a war on two fronts. But Beirut could certainly end up like Gaza City, the politician says.

Source: Blick