Thursday Briefing: Israel's Planned Offensive
Israeli officials said yesterday that the military was moving forward with plans to take over Gaza City. Even after nearly two years of war, the city and its surrounding neighborhoods remain a stronghold for Hamas, an official said.
An Israeli military official said that troops had reached the city's outskirts and that tents were being moved into southern Gaza for people who would be displaced once the operation begins.
The plan called for troops to encircle the city, allow the population to move south through checkpoints to catch militants, then move in with force. About 60,000 reservists would be called to backfill troops sent to Gaza City, and 20,000 would have their orders extended.
The buildup began as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu weighed a cease-fire proposal, agreed upon by Hamas, that would ensure the release of some hostages.
In Israel, the families of hostages are worried that Hamas would kill them in response to the offensive, while hard-right politicians threatened to quit the government if Netanyahu were to accept the cease-fire deal.
In Gaza City, thousands considered moving to the central or southern parts of the territory. But many of the city's inhabitants have already relocated repeatedly — some said they won't do so again.
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