Is Israel finally preparing to eliminate Hamas - or still delaying?

The meeting of the Israeli cabinet this evening (Thursday) is expected to discuss a number of possible offensive plans for the IDF due to the failure to reach a hostage deal with Hamas, according to a report by Channel 13 News.

The "Victory Plan" to be discussed reportedly involved another massive callup of reserves, the conquest and occupation of the entire Gaza Strip, and the destruction of Hamas' remaining military formations.

All this is taking place as Mossad Director Dedi Barnea is expected to be in Qatar to discuss possible deals with the Qatari mediator, as no progress has been made so far in securing a deal to free the remaining 20-25 live hostages and the remaining slain ones.

The defense establishment is reportedly largely in favor of a decisive operation to end Hamas' power once and for all, but they support trying to give hostage negotiations one more try.

Discussions of a decisive operation to end the military threat from Gaza come as reservists are increasingly not presenting for duty due to exhaustion and economic and family needs, and as tens of thousands of Gazans are leaving the Strip due to the harsh conditions therein.