The Israeli occupation is planning a long war on the Gaza Strip that will extend for a year or more, with the most intense phase of the ground operation continuing until early 2024, including the assassination of three prominent leaders of the Hamas movement, according to what the Financial Times reported, citing Israeli sources familiar with war plans.

The British newspaper reported on Friday that the multi-stage strategy developed by the occupation includes an imminent incursion into the depths of the south of the besieged Strip by forces stationed inside northern Gaza.

According to the newspaper, the objectives include the assassination of three senior Hamas leaders: Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Deif, and Marwan Issa, while achieving a “decisive” military victory against the 24 Qassam Brigades, and destroying the underground tunnel network, leading to the destruction of the movement’s ability to rule in the country. Gaza.

The newspaper quoted a person familiar with the war plans as saying: “This will be a very long war. We are not currently close to halfway to achieving our goals.”

According to estimates by those familiar with the plans who spoke to the newspaper, the high-intensity ground operation will likely require a few more months, and after that, there will be a “transition and stabilization” phase with less military intensity that could continue until late 2024, with no clarity about the positioning of the ground forces. Israel during this stage.

They said that the current war, unlike previous military operations and wars, will not have a fixed end point. They added: "The referee will not blow the final whistle and that's it," apparently referring to the post-war period.

A senior Israeli military officer, speaking to the newspaper, claimed that at least 10 of the 24 battalions affiliated with the Qassam Brigades were “severely damaged,” with more than 50 mid-level commanders and an estimated 5,000 fighters killed.

Another source familiar with the war plans said that the Israeli army still considers operations in northern Gaza incomplete, adding: “Gaza City is not finished yet, and it has not been completely occupied. It is possible that 40% has been accomplished, but for the north as a whole, "It will likely take another two weeks to a month."

While occupation leaders threaten a ground operation in the southern Gaza Strip similar to the north, Israeli officials claimed that most of Hamas' leadership, the bulk of its fighters and missile arsenal, and the majority of the remaining Israeli prisoners, are now in the south.

According to informed sources who spoke to the newspaper, the southern attack will focus on Khan Yunis. The second most important urban center in Gaza and the birthplace of Sinwar and Al-Deif, as well as Rafah in the far south of the Strip on the border with Egypt.

Source: Alaraby Aljadeed