As Phase 1 of the hostage deal comes to an end, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is expiring. As reported yesterday (Monday), Israeli security officials anticipate a return to combat in Gaza within ten days. In the meantime, various measures will be taken to weaken Hamas and prepare IDF forces for renewed operations.
Rising Prices in Gaza
One of the most significant steps already taken by Israel is in the humanitarian corridor. On Sunday, the government announced a halt to additional aid shipments into the Gaza Strip. While estimates suggest that the full impact of severe shortages will occur only in a few months’ time, the consequences are already evident, with a drastic increase—by dozens of percentage points—in the prices of essential goods, as a result of the reduced supply in Gaza’s food markets. It is expected that water and electricity supplies to Gaza will also soon be cut off. As Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich said: “We are closing the gates of paradise and preparing to open the gates of hell.”
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Despite the military preparations, diplomatic channels have not entirely given up on extending Phase 1 of the deal and prolonging the ceasefire. Expectations are high for a visit by Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East. Notably, Witkoff was instrumental in brokering the current deal back in January, even before Trump took office. Now, he wields even greater influence.
Military Preparations
On the military front, the IDF is awaiting a major shift expected to take place tomorrow (Wednesday) with the replacement of Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi by Defense Ministry Director General, Major General Eyal Zamir. Zamir is set to introduce a series of new appointments in the IDF’s top ranks—appointments that had been stalled under Halevi in recent months. In line with this transition, Head of IDF Operations Directorate, Major General Oded Basiuk, has already announced his intention to resign after four years in his role, marking the end of his military service.
In the final days of Halevi’s tenure, the IDF has released investigative reports on the events of October 7—including intelligence failures and the battles that took place—in the hope that these insights will help the military better prepare for similar threats in the future. Meanwhile, IDF forces in Gaza have already resumed firing several times, conducting strikes in Beit Hanoun and Rafah against military operatives who were acting suspiciously or posing a threat to Israeli troops.
