Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of upcoming intensified military actions in the Gaza Strip, stating, “Within days, things are going to happen in Gaza, things you’ve never seen before," during an address to the War Wounded for Victory Forum on Monday, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.

His comments come as the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) prepare to expand ground operations in Gaza, with military officials awaiting the return of captive Edan Alexander before resuming the offensive.

Netanyahu's rhetoric signals that a sharp escalation is in store in the coming days, with Israeli sources indicating that a new phase of combat is imminent following a brief pause.

An Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that the IOF are ready to resume military operations soon.

IOF to resume operations after Edan Alexander’s return

The IOF temporarily paused military actions to ensure the safe passage of the Israeli-American captive. The Israeli official confirmed that once Alexander reaches “Israel”, the occupation forces would recommence their aggressive campaign in the Gaza Strip.

The official emphasized that the pause was tactical and short-term, with the wider military objective remaining unchanged.

According to The Jerusalem Post, "Israel" had issued an ultimatum to Hamas: release 10 captives in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire, or face a full-scale ground assault. That deadline has reportedly passed without a deal.

With no resolution, the Israeli occupation has laid out plans for deeper invasions into Gaza, with objectives including disrupting aid distribution and escalating strikes against Hamas.

Trump welcomes Edan Alexander

On Monday, Trump welcomed Hamas' announcement regarding the release of Alexander, describing it as a "good faith gesture" and a potential step toward ending the ongoing war in Gaza.

"I am grateful to all those involved in making this monumental news happen," Trump wrote on social media. "Hopefully this is the first of those final steps necessary to end this brutal conflict."

The Trump administration has led efforts to secure his release independently, despite previous talks being led by Israeli authorities, causing controversy in "Israel".

In turn, the group expressed readiness to engage in further negotiations aimed at ending the war and establishing a civil administration in Gaza. In parallel, the release of Alexander drew reactions across the Israeli political spectrum, with several lawmakers criticizing the government’s role in the process.

A new survey by the 2025 Democracy Perception Index shows a shift in the world's perception of global figures and countries.#US President Donald #Trump ranked the worst among world leaders, while "Israel" ranked the lowest in global public opinion. pic.twitter.com/JRoKDZB5ZC

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 13, 2025