Nearly a month in Israel’s re-engineering ground operations, U.S. support appears to have shaped conflict on multiple levels – both diplomatically and politically. Israeli officials said the chances of reaching a hostage deal have increased significantly, with some expected developments over the next two weeks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sitting in the Oval Office on Monday President Donald Trump “We are working to drive the hostages out. We are looking for another ceasefire. We will see what will happen.” The remarks highlight Trump’s dual-track approach: ongoing diplomatic pressure on Iran, directly supporting Israel’s military movement in Gaza.
Israeli officials called it a “freehand” and Israel expanded its offensive to Rafa and the strategically significant Morag corridor. The clear purpose is to increase the pressure on Hamas and help ensure that the remaining 59 hostages are released.
Israel launches new ground operations in Gaza
A senior Israeli security official told Fox News Numbers that the movement is in close coordination with the United States. “Everything is coordinated with the Americans – negotiation and operational activities. The goal is Take the hostage home. Now we have a free action to act, unlike during the previous administration, the UN Security Council no longer faces the threat of veto power. ”
The same official pointed out Changes in humanitarian policies They believe this strengthens Israel’s leverage. “Unlike the previous administration, the U.S. did not force 350 aid trucks into Gaza every day. This gave us leverage,” the official said, adding that restricting aid could reduce Hamas’ ability to control the population.
On Saturday, Israel Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that the IDF had completed the takeover of the Morag Axis. The Morag Corridor, which separates Rafa from Khan Younis, is part of an effort to create new buffers and reduce Hamas’ operational capabilities. “The logic is that the more territory Hamas loses, the more likely it is to compromise the hostage deal in compromise,” the official said.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir strengthened the strategy when he visited the frontline units this week. He told the troops: “I hope you can defeat the Rafah Brigade and lead to victory, no matter where you fight.” The IDF had previously announced that the Rafah Brigade was demolished in September, but the troops were back to the main stronghold where the tunnel network still existed.
Hamas launches attack on Israel since Ceasefire collapses
On April 5, 2025, troops were conducted in the 36th Division of the Rafa region. (IDF)
Katz warned in the same statement on Saturday: “Hamas cannot protect residents or territory. Hamas leaders hid in tunnels with their families, or lived abroad in luxury hotels, with billions of bank accounts that use you as a shield for humanity.
During their Oval Office meeting, Trump and Netanyahu reiterated their consistency on core issues. Netanyahu said Gazans should “freely choose to go wherever they want” in references that some analysts believe are new discussions about third-country placement. Trump went further and surfaced the idea, noting: “Gaza is an incredibly important property. With peace forces like the United States, controlling and owning the Gaza Strip will be a good thing.”
Javed Ali, former senior director of the National Security Council, now a professor at the University of Michigan, offers a more measurable view of current military strategy. “Now that we have restored the recovery of the high-intensity IDF operation in the Gaza Strip to Hamas for almost a full month, Israel’s military strategy seems to focus on cleaning up and holding the remaining pockets of known Hamas elements, while simultaneously replacing the Palestinians throughout the territory.”
Israeli forces established the Morag Corridor in Gaza. (IDF)
Ali said it is unclear how Israel intends to manage or rule the areas it clears. He compared the U.S. experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The United States faced its own challenge in the post-9/11 war, adopting a similar ‘clear and hold’ approach, as both insurgents and jihadists in both conflicts used guerrilla warfare strategies and terrorist attacks.”
Although the Biden administration has previously emphasized humanitarian visits, Ali noted that the current White House has not publicly urged Israel to expand its actions. “This could change, especially as humanitarian conditions worsen, or negotiations with Iran on the progress of its nuclear program,” he said. “If these negotiations gain momentum, Iran may urge the United States to curb Israel’s campaign against Hamas to maintain the remaining content of the group. Team USA, Team USA, Leaded by Steve Witkoffentertainment requirements will be an important regional development worthy of attention. ”
On the ground, Israel has acted to reshape the humanitarian landscape of Gaza. The decision to limit Hamas’ access to aid reflects a broader policy shift by IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant Eyal Zamir, who reversed his predecessor’s stance and authorized the military to directly monitor the distribution of supplies. “Hamas will not regain control of the aid because that is its lifeline,” an Israeli security official explained. “That is to enable it to maintain control of the territory during this period. People in Gaza know that Hamas controls aid; if they realize that Hamas no longer does that, then the control inside its striptease will be invalid.”
Israeli forces were deployed to Gaza. (IDF)
Humanitarian organizations and international leaders continue to condemn Israel. UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a speech on April 8, condemning the ongoing aid blockade. He said: “The whole month has passed and no drip has reached Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein strongly rejected the Secretary-General’s claim. He posted on X: “As always, you don’t allow the facts to conflict with Israel’s slander. There is no shortage of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip with more than 25,000 blocked counties, and the Gaza Wag train entered a 42-day ceasefire during the ceasefire. Hamas used this aid to rebuild the war machine. But, in your remarks. Call Hamas loudly and clearly to leave and stop abuse of them.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz (Israel PM)
Eugene Kontorovich, a senior legal scholar at the Heritage Foundation, told Fox News Numbers: “One does not need Israel’s Supreme Court to say there is no hunger in Gaza – it is recognized by the UN’s own phase classification of food security, which was found in June, and was famine-free ham ham and farcipity. With the truth emerging, the plunder and hoarding aid is obvious, and the hunger claim aims to stop Israel’s legitimate self-defense.
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As the military and diplomatic tracks converge, Israeli officials remain cautiously optimistic to talk about the results soon.
