BREAKING: IDF setting northern Gaza on fire to expose tunnels

The IDF has launched a major operation to root out remaining Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip today (Monday), even starting fires to expose tunnels used for ambushes, according to Channel 12 News.

This effort comes following two Hamas ambushes in the north against IDF patrols and soldiers, within the area IDF ostensibly operationally controls. These ambushes led to the death of a number of IDF soldiers and the wounding of others.

The operation comes as the Israeli government is debating when and how, not if, to launch larger scale operations in the Gaza Strip to eliminate the remaining Hamas formations, especially in the center of the Strip.

While Finance Minister Smotrich wants to attack as soon as possible, as the country cannot remain on a war footing forever, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz want to first exhaust all possible options for a hostage deal.

The government is also clashing with the military leadership, which is claiming that a renewed operation against Hamas would be just as costly as the first offensive in the weeks following October 7. Sources speaking to Channel 14 reporter Tamir Morag said that this is a gross exaggeration aimed at scaring the government off of a renewed offensive.