Despite the expanded areas of operation, defense sources have said they are continuing to avoid operating in areas in which hostages might be held. Furthermore, defense sources said even as the growing invasion with three divisions has required some new rounds of reservist call-ups, the still will not need to order a very large reservist call-up wave unless it engages in a much larger invasion of Gaza.
Defense sources threatened that if Hamas did not agree to a new hostage deal soon, a much larger invasion could be ordered within a period of days or weeks.Nevertheless, Defense Minister Israel Katz deflected any questions from The Jerusalem Post that suggested Israel was moving toward a slow military occupation of Gaza.Instead, the focus of the operation was still achieving a hostage deal, he said, declining to speculate about whether Hamas could or would try to outlast Israel’s latest military assault for several more months. (Read more)