Israel's top security chiefs - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff Gen. Eyal Zamir, the heads of Mossad, Shin Bet and military intelligence - advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching the operation. They warned it could: Endanger the lives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Lead to heavy IDF casualties. Fail to dismantle Hamas. Force Israel into direct military rule over Gaza's two million residents.
Israel announced on Friday that it has begun the "initial stages" of its siege on Gaza City, declaring the capital city a "dangerous combat zone" and ending its daytime pauses for the supposed purpose of allowing the passage of humanitarian aid, despite a famine declaration across the area last week. "We have begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City, and already now IDF forces are holding the outskirts of Gaza City," Israel's military spokesperson told reporters.
The plan for the Israeli occupation of Gaza City has begun. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed Wednesday morning the approval of the military project to occupy the largest municipality in the occupied Palestinian territories, where nearly one million people live in poverty. Hours later, military spokesman Effie Defrin confirmed that the first steps are already being taken. We have begun preliminary operations and the first phases of the attack on Gaza City.
