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Netanyahu knows gov't survival hinges on Gaza invasion, IDF source says

IDF officials estimate fighting in Gaza may continue for several months, with the military preparing by sending call-ups to some 60,000 reservists earlier this week.

The IDF is preparing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go through with plans to invade and occupy Gaza City, due to the understanding his government would collapse otherwise, sources within the Israeli military told Maariv on Saturday.

"The impression is that the prime minister is going through with the operation...he understands that he cannot keep hold of his government without it - it will fall apart," a defense establishment source said.

IDF officials estimate fighting in Gaza may continue for several months, with the military preparing by sending call-ups to some 60,000 reservists earlier this week. The IDF plans for future call-ups to be carried out in incremental fashion, with more draft orders expected to be sent out in early November, with the rest in early December and January.

IDF may have to fight Hamas 'until last terrorist is killed'

Ahead of the expected invasion, a security source assessed that Hamas "no longer operates as a military force" in Gaza, adding that the IDF has struck "all of its senior officers, with only a handful of battalions remaining."

However, Israel must prepare for the possibility it would need to fight Hamas until the last terrorist is killed, the source said.

"It must be understood that we are dealing with an irrational terror organization. It may take the chance to walk away (from Gaza) or it will fight until the last terrorist is killed."

Netanyahu said Thursday he has approved the IDF’s takeover plans for Gaza City, restarting hostage negotiations, and ending the war on Israel’s terms.

“We are at a decisive stage,” he said while visiting the Gaza Division. “I arrived today at the Gaza Division to approve the plans presented by the IDF to me and the defense minister for the takeover of Gaza City and the defeat of Hamas.”

Netanyahu said he had directed “the immediate initiation of negotiations” for the release of all the hostages and ending the war in Gaza on Israel’s terms. At this time, no Israeli delegation will leave for Doha or Qatar, he added.

“These two objectives – defeating Hamas and securing the release of all our hostages – go hand in hand,” he said.

Netanyahu was impressed with the plans presented to him at the Gaza Division, a political source told The Jerusalem Post. “The plans are solid,” the source said.