Israel prepares for renewed Gaza ground offensive as Hamas shows no sign of disarming

Key Points:

• Nearly three years after October 7, the IDF maintains extensive military control inside Gaza but faces ongoing challenges as Hamas remains armed and controls significant parts of the Strip, with over 470 Israeli soldiers killed since the ground operation began.
• Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the IDF is prepared to forcibly disarm Hamas if the group does not comply voluntarily under the U.S.-backed framework, while plans for Gazan emigration remain under discussion amid international reluctance.
• The IDF continues high-tempo offensive operations, including targeted strikes and destruction of weapons depots, to pressure Hamas toward disarmament, while troops face operational strain and the risk of complacency in the transition to a forward-defense posture.
• Rules of engagement near the ceasefire boundary ("Yellow Line") involve measured responses to unarmed individuals, with warnings and arrests preferred unless an immediate threat is detected, countering claims of excessive or insufficient military action.
• Hamas exploits humanitarian aid flows by taxing goods and maintaining governance in areas outside Israeli control, complicating efforts for reconstruction or international intervention, as Israeli leadership insists on Hamas disarmament before any rebuilding of Gaza.