Hebrew media sources close to the Israeli Prime Minister's office revealed that the occupation army has begun actual arrangements to return to intensive fighting in the Gaza Strip early next month. These military movements come amid escalating political tension within the Israeli government coalition and demands to end the relative calm.
In a related context, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich renewed his explicit calls for the full re-occupation of the Gaza Strip and the establishment of Jewish settlements on its lands. Smotrich considered this step necessary to confront what he described as Hamas's refusal to dismantle its military capabilities or abandon its weapons.
Smotrich's statements came during an official event for the re-opening of the 'Sanur' settlement in the northern West Bank, a settlement that was evacuated in 2005. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and a number of officials participated in this event, reflecting a governmental trend towards strengthening settlement on various fronts.
For its part, Hamas affirmed its adherence to the necessity of obliging the occupation to implement the requirements of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement before moving to any new understandings. This came during meetings held by the movement's leadership with international mediators and Palestinian factions in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to discuss the path of calm.
The movement stressed in an official statement that it has dealt positively with all proposed initiatives, including US President Donald Trump's plan and the Sharm El Sheikh agreements. It demanded the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from the Strip and the opening of crossings to begin reconstruction operations and end the escalating humanitarian suffering.
On the ground, reports from the Gaza Strip indicate that the ceasefire agreement is witnessing continuous and almost daily Israeli violations. These violations range from artillery shelling and direct firing at civilians and farmers in border areas, which undermines the chances of stabilizing the calm.
According to data from the government media office in Gaza, occupation forces have committed about 2,400 violations of the agreement since it came into effect last October. These violations included killings, detentions, severe siege, in addition to the systematic starvation policy practiced against the residents of the Strip.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that these violations resulted in the martyrdom of 775 people and the injury of more than two thousand citizens with various injuries during the past six months. These figures confirm the fragility of the existing agreement in light of the continued limited Israeli military operations and repeated attacks.
The second phase of the US-sponsored peace plan began in mid-January under UN Security Council resolutions. However, the Palestinian side accuses Israel of reneging on its basic commitments, especially regarding the entry of sufficient medical and relief aid.
Official data indicates that the occupation continues to place obstacles to the entry of shelter materials and fuel necessary to operate vital facilities in Gaza. This intransigence threatens the collapse of the political path that began in October 2025 and aims to end the genocide that destroyed most aspects of life.
It is worth noting that the Gaza Strip was subjected to a comprehensive destructive war that began on October 8, 2023, and lasted for more than two years with extensive American military and political support. This war left a heavy toll of victims exceeding 72,000 martyrs and 172,000 injured, most of whom were children and women.
Israeli military operations also caused the destruction of approximately 90% of the infrastructure and residential buildings in the Strip, making reconstruction a huge challenge. In light of the current threats of a return to fighting, the international community fears a deeper humanitarian catastrophe that may affect what remains of the elements of life in Gaza.
I call on the Prime Minister to issue orders to the army to immediately prepare for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip, impose Israeli control, and establish settlements there.
שתף את דעתך
Tel Aviv hints at resuming intense fighting in Gaza, Smotrich demands re-establishment of settlements