IDF: This is how renewed war will look in ten days

The IDF is preparing to renew the war in Gaza in ten days time if the impasse over the hostage deal is not resolved, according to a report today (Tuesday) by Channel 12 News.

According to the report, IDF ground, air, and sea forces have been preparing battle drills aimed at a renewal of the war. The first goal of any such operation will be the reconquest of areas evacuated during the ceasefire - especially the Netzarim corridor bisecting the Gaza Strip.

The army is also prepared to send those who returned to the northern Gaza Strip back to the humanitarian zone in the central Strip. While they concede that this may be a complicated operation, sources in the army said that it was feasible and that many of those who tried to return to Gaza City and its environs turned back after they saw the devastation caused in fighting with the IDF.

Ever since the termination of the first phase of the hostage deal, Israel has taken a number of steps to pressure Hamas into returning to hostage for prisoner exchanges on its own terms. A few days ago, it ended all deliveries of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, and one of the next steps will reportedly involve the ending of electricity and water supply to Gaza and Hamas.

Israel did not immediately relaunch the war in Gaza after the deal expired for two reasons. One was to give the Egyptian and Qatari mediators time to get Hamas to agree to renew exchanges on Israel's terms, especially with the coming of Trump hostage envoy Steve Witkoff to the region in a few days.

The second reason is that incoming IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who will be sworn in tomorrow, needs time to establish himself among the senior officers and army more broadly. Zamir has repeatedly pushed a more offensive line when meeting with future subordinates, but has otherwise kept his plans and views to himself.