IDF’s Plans to Conquer Gaza City by This Date, Yet This Issue Remains
The IDF is planning a major operation to capture Gaza City by early 2026, focusing on civilian evacuation and compliance with international law. However, challenges in establishing humanitarian zones and preventing terrorist escapes raise concerns about the operation’s feasibility.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are gearing up for a complex operation to seize control of Gaza City, with an estimated timeline of two to three months, potentially extending the conflict into December 2025 or January 2026. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir recently outlined the operation’s principles during a strategic meeting with senior officials from the Southern Command and the Israeli Air Force. The plan emphasizes minimizing harm to hostages, implementing rotation cycles for reservist forces, and evacuating civilians before advancing into the city’s core.
The IDF is committed to adhering to international law, ensuring humanitarian conditions for displaced civilians, and maintaining control over captured areas without withdrawal. However, significant concerns have emerged regarding the operation’s feasibility. Military correspondent Doron Kadush reported that establishing “humanitarian zones” for approximately one million people within two months poses a major challenge. These zones, intended for central camps and Mawasi, must be ready by October to facilitate population evacuation before the offensive begins.
A critical worry is that Hamas terrorists may blend in with fleeing civilians, potentially leaving the IDF to confront largely empty areas. Past operations in Gaza City have shown that full evacuation is difficult, with tens of thousands of residents remaining despite efforts. Post-takeover, the IDF anticipates Hamas shifting to guerrilla warfare, necessitating prolonged control and continuous military manoeuvring in the captured territory.
The operation is set to commence in October, following the completion of evacuation and humanitarian preparations. The extended timeline underscores the complexity of urban warfare in a densely populated area, with the IDF bracing for a drawn-out conflict. The success of the operation hinges on balancing military objectives with humanitarian considerations, amidst the ever-present threat of Hamas’s adaptive tactics.