Amid Sunday’s intensified strikes in the Gaza Strip, senior political leaders and the IDF Southern Command’s General Staff convened to assess the future of the campaign, Israeli media reported. During the meeting, the IDF presented key outcomes of Operation Gideon’s Chariots. According to the data, the army currently holds control over roughly 60% of Gaza’s territory and is projected to achieve the operation’s objectives within two to three weeks, expanding its control to approximately 80% of the area by the end of the operation.
During the meeting, ministers were presented with two primary options: a full military occupation of the Gaza Strip accompanied by the establishment of a military government, or pursuing a negotiated agreement. According to sources familiar with the discussion, the IDF outlined the occupation scenario as one carrying an extremely high cost—including the likelihood of significant casualties, the possible deaths of remaining hostages, and a severe economic burden. The army made clear that such a course would be unacceptable.
The discussion concluded without a definitive decision. The IDF has now shifted the responsibility to the political leadership, urging clear directives to enable operational planning. The government is now facing a critical test of leadership: whether to opt for a deal that could end the war but leave Hamas intact in Gaza or proceed toward a full-scale occupation—described by some as the only path to total victory.
The direction the government is more likely to pick was revealed later that day when, for the first time since the war began following the October 7 massacre, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prioritized the release of the hostages ahead of the dismantling of Hamas.
During a visit to a Shin Bet facility in southern Israel, Netanyahu said, “I want to inform you that many opportunities have now opened up—first and foremost, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also have to address the Gaza issue and defeat Hamas, but I believe we will succeed in achieving both goals.”
This is where we’re headed, folks: Hamas will be driven to about 20% of the Strip, the IDF will withdraw – perhaps gradually – and the remaining 20 living hostages will be released, with guarantees provided to Hamas by the UN Security Council that Israel would not turn around first chance it gets and take back Gaza.
Netanyahu’s remarks echoed the optimism expressed by President Donald Trump, who also spoke this week about the prospect of a ceasefire. On Sunday morning, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to urge an agreement for the release of the remaining hostages, writing: “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” His post followed comments made last week in which he predicted a near-term truce in the fighting. “I think we are close, and that in the coming week, we will get a ceasefire,” he said.
However, officials involved in the process emphasized that no real breakthrough has yet been achieved, noting that Hamas has not responded to Israel’s reply to the Witkoff outline. Still, signs suggest that Prime Minister Netanyahu is beginning to prepare Israeli public opinion––especially his base––for an eventual end to the war, aware that President Trump is pushing strongly in that direction. Meanwhile, U.S. pressure on Israel to move toward a deal and bring the Gaza war to a close is intensifying.
At this stage, the IDF continues its operations in Gaza. On Sunday, the army issued evacuation orders for residents in parts of northern Gaza ahead of an expected escalation in military activity. Civilians in neighborhoods across Gaza City and Jabalia were instructed to head south toward the coastal zone of al-Mawasi, as Israeli forces announced plans to “intensify and expand operations westward.”
