The chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Army: Entering the second stage of the decisive strike plan

The Chief of General Staff of the Israeli army, Zamir, said that the Israeli army is in a long-term and multi-front operation and has entered the second stage of the decisive strike plan. It must achieve the operational goals, namely rescuing the hostages detained in Gaza and defeating Hamas.

According to a statement issued by the Israeli army on Wednesday (May 7th), Zamir inspected the Israeli army's Gaza Division on Tuesday and spoke with all division and brigade-level commanders to deploy the upcoming expanded military operation.

Zamir emphasized the urgency of a national mobilization, calling on the reserve soldiers to join the battle immediately without retreating and to take the initiative.

He said that the current situation is "an unprecedented moment of pressure in the history of the Israeli military", and everyone must shoulder the responsibility of defending the country.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Katz said that the Israeli army will expand its military operations in the Gaza Strip, fully control Gaza, and concentrate and transfer local people to the narrow area in the south.

According to the statement issued by Katz's office, this military operation will fully control the Gaza Strip, further increase the pressure on Hamas, and the people of Gaza will be concentrated and transferred, or promote the "voluntary immigration" of the people of Gaza.

Katz emphasized that this operation is different from previous ones. The Israeli army will be stationed in every occupied area and will not withdraw even if a ceasefire agreement is reached.

Israel's Security Cabinet has recently approved a plan to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip and said the plan will be implemented after US President Trump's visit to the Middle East next week.