The Israeli military is preparing to launch a new "large-scale incursion" into the Gaza Strip, including expanding ground operations and dismembering Gaza City. This is part of what it describes as an "updated strategy aimed at undermining Hamas's ability to control the Strip," while simultaneously attempting to pressure the movement's leadership in negotiations over a prisoner exchange, according to a report on Sunday by the Walla news website.

This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a recorded speech Saturday evening, amid escalating internal debate over the feasibility of continuing the war in Gaza amid growing public pressure to recover the hostages. In the speech, Netanyahu reiterated his traditional positions: no ceasefire, no deal under the current circumstances, and no withdrawal without a "comprehensive military solution."

According to the Walla news website, "the army is continuing its intensive military operations in the north, south, and center of the Gaza Strip, using air, sea, and land," noting that the new plan aims to "cut the city into two parts, which would result in Hamas losing more than 50 percent of the territory it controls."

According to the report, the Israeli army "has carried out approximately 1,300 airstrikes since the resumption of the war on Gaza, killing more than 400 members of resistance factions, including battalion and company commanders and sensitive command posts." The report noted that "the forces control areas such as the Morag axis, new parts of Rafah, and the al-Daraj and al-Tuffah neighborhoods."

Amid the political stalemate, a security source said that "military pressure is a tool to force the Hamas leadership to return to negotiations for the release of prisoners," stressing that "strict coordination must be undertaken with the Directorate of Prisoners' and Missing Persons' Affairs to avoid carrying out operations in areas where prisoners are believed to be held."

The report added that "the Israeli army is carrying out systematic destruction of infrastructure using heavy engineering tools capable of destroying entire neighborhoods, including underground facilities," noting that "the attacks are carried out with high precision against targets identified in advance by the army," as part of what it described as "close fire support operations for ground forces deployed in the field."

The report also stated that a future incursion would require "a large-scale mobilization of reserve forces, the withdrawal of units from other fronts such as the north (Lebanon and Syria) and the West Bank," as well as "the direct distribution of humanitarian aid through American companies to undermine Hamas's civilian control."

In contrast, the report noted that "Hamas' leadership was surprised by the resumption of military operations after the ceasefire collapsed," adding that the movement is currently focusing on attrition tactics, including planting explosive devices, sniper operations, and launching rockets, while avoiding direct confrontation. It also relies on close monitoring of military movements and exploiting security gaps to carry out attacks.

According to the report, after the resumption of the war, Hamas decided to "maintain its combat strength of approximately 20,000 fighters, most of whom are inexperienced in combat, in preparation for any large-scale ground incursion." The report added that the movement is currently content with "a process of rebuilding, recruiting new fighters, and carrying out guerrilla operations that rely on operational opportunities or mistakes on the Israeli side."

According to the report, "Hamas operatives only carry out their attacks when they see an opportunity to achieve results," noting that "this includes firing anti-tank missiles, sniper operations, detonating explosive devices, and launching short-range rockets."

He added, "Israeli forces on the ground rarely directly spot militants, as they often disappear immediately after carrying out operations."

The report explained that "Hamas is trying to create a reality on the ground in which it appears not to be a permanent presence and does not engage in direct confrontations, but rather creates a relatively calm atmosphere, then returns to attack," adding: "On the ground, Hamas operatives monitor troop movements, gather intelligence, analyze patterns of operation, search for weak points, and carry out offensive operations from a safe distance."

He stated that "Israel does not expect the current operation to completely topple Hamas, but rather views it as a prelude to the next phase: either pressure to conclude a deal that includes the release of approximately 10 living prisoners and 15 bodies, or launch a final assault on the entire Gaza Strip, by imposing field control and distributing humanitarian aid outside the Hamas administration," according to the website.

According to the Israeli vision proposed following Netanyahu's speech on Saturday evening, according to Israeli analysts, the next phase of the war on Gaza could include "complete control and occupation of the Strip for the sake of survival, the distribution of humanitarian aid through an American company, and the strangulation of Hamas's ability to govern from a civil and administrative perspective."

In turn, Finance Minister and Minister of Defense Bezalel Smotrich renewed his inflammatory statements on Saturday calling for the continuation of the war of extermination in the Gaza Strip, its complete occupation, and the imposition of military rule there. Smotrich's comments came in a post on his X account, commenting on Netanyahu's speech on Saturday.

Smotrich wrote: "Mr. Prime Minister, your remarks this evening about the need to end this war victoriously are clear. The approach to the war must be changed, and we must move toward a full occupation of the Gaza Strip without fear of military intervention if necessary." He added, "Hamas must be destroyed, and Gaza must never again pose a threat to the State of Israel."