As hostage deal negotiations continue in Doha, a report published Saturday by the UK’s Sunday Times revealed that Israel is preparing a strategic military operation to divide the Gaza Strip into three separate regions if talks fail.
According to the report, the plan would involve a broad military campaign under Operation Gideon’s Chariots, including the seizure of four key geographic corridors and the creation of controlled movement zones across the Strip. The goal: full Israeli military control of Gaza.
Zone Partition and Strategic Control
The plan outlines a division of Gaza into three major civilian zones, separated by militarized corridors under IDF control. The implementation would reportedly require at least three weeks, involving both civilian relocation and military infrastructure development. The four targeted areas include: Northern Gaza, up to Gaza City, south of the Netzarim corridor, The Morag Axis, and the Rafah region.
Phase Three: Full Conquest of Gaza
According to the report, each of the three areas would be connected by military overpasses and checkpoints, with strict limits on civilian and commercial movement. One planned corridor—through the Netzarim area—would be narrower than the existing route reinforced with military barriers to prevent unauthorized crossings.
Hostage Deal Still Hangs in the Balance
Meanwhile, Doha-based mediators report that Hamas is considering a partial hostage release in exchange for a two-month ceasefire. The proposal under review includes: release of 10 living hostages, a written status list of the remaining hostages, and the delivery of the list on day 10 of the ceasefire.
However, a key obstacle remains: Israel demands the disarmament of Hamas, while Hamas categorically rejects such terms at this stage.
IDF Ground Forces Mobilize amid Talks
In parallel to diplomatic efforts, the IDF continues to advance troop deployments and tactical infrastructure ahead of a potential expanded ground phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots. Military officials and political leaders are now under increased pressure to capitalize on recent momentum—military and diplomatic alike—to strike a deal that would lead to both hostage recovery and a definitive defeat of Hamas.
