The Times of Israel: Israel plans a new operation in the Gaza Strip. Hamas refuses to disarm as outlined in Trump's plan.
The Israel Defense Forces have developed plans for a new ground operation in territories controlled by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, reports The Wall Street Journal and The Times of Israel, citing Israeli and Arab sources, as quoted by Meduza.
According to The Times of Israel, the operation involves an offensive on Gaza City aimed at shifting the demarcation line of the ceasefire (the so-called 'yellow line') westward, towards the coast. This would further expand the IDF's control over the territory, the publication states.
Sources from The Times of Israel say that the military operation is planned for March. However, as noted by an Arab official, it cannot take place without U.S. support, which is still trying to move to the second phase of the truce, involving the disarmament of Hamas.
However, the terrorist group refuses to disarm and is focused on rebuilding its military capabilities, writes The Wall Street Journal. According to Arab officials, Hamas is willing to surrender what remains of its heavy weapon stockpiles but has no intention of giving up small arms. Israeli estimates suggest that the group has 60,000 rifles and 20,000 militants. Additionally, according to sources from the newspaper, Hamas has recently received an influx of funds, allowing it to resume regular salary payments to its militants.
Israeli officials note that there are no immediate plans to deploy troops in Gaza — Israel is prepared to allow time for the advancement of the American plan. The decision on the operation will be made by Israel's political leadership.
Hamas's refusal to disarm, as The Wall Street Journal writes, is not the only reason hindering the advancement of the peace plan: other parts of the first phase are also incomplete. Israel has not opened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and the body of the last Israeli hostage remaining in Gaza has yet to be returned home.
In early October 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and accepted a peace plan developed by the Donald Trump administration. The first phase of this plan involved the return of all remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, the second phase — the disarmament of Hamas, and then the establishment of an international transitional administration for Gaza.
