Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip

Israeli military warns expanded Gaza operations risk captives' lives

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media + Agencies
  • 6 May 2025 12:05
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

The decision to expand Gaza operations comes amid internal disputes and international condemnation, notably from France.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli military warns expanded Gaza operations risk captives' lives
    An Israeli soldier walks near tanks deployed at a position near the border with the Gaza Strip on May 4, 2025. (AFP)

In recent days, the Israeli occupation military has warned that expanding military operations in the Gaza Strip could endanger the lives of Israeli captives, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

Field scenarios

Israeli security officials outlined a possible scenario for Cabinet members, suggesting that Hamas fighters could abandon the captives during an escalation in fighting as they are forced to withdraw from combat zones, increasing the risk of the captives' death or disappearance.

Military officials also warned that expanding ground operations would make it more difficult to deliver aid to the locations where captives are being held, thereby raising the likelihood of their death or permanent disappearance.

Fears of concealing bodies, difficulties in locating captives

Israeli media also reported that the security establishment is concerned Hamas might attempt to hide the bodies of captives in pits or concealed locations that would be difficult for the Israeli military or Shin Bet to locate.

In such a scenario, security officials warned that the bodies might never be found, especially if the Hamas fighters who know the captives' locations are killed in combat.

Read more: Hamas won, Israeli army faces collapse, retired Israeli general says

Political-military dispute over war objectives

Related News

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

PIJ accuses 'Israel' of brutal ceasefire violations in Gaza

The Haaretz report highlighted a clear dispute between the political leadership, which is focused on “achieving victory”, and the military leadership, which considers the retrieval of the captives the most important goal of the operations in Gaza.

Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Avi Dovrin told Haaretz that the military operates under the guidance of the political leadership, emphasizing that the objective is to retrieve the captives and topple Hamas rule.

Upcoming operation: 'Gideon’s Chariots' and delayed escalation until after Trump’s visit

The newspaper quoted a senior Israeli security official as saying that the decision to expand the fighting is tied to increasing pressure on Hamas to push it toward a prisoner exchange deal. He added that the expansion would not proceed until after US President Donald Trump's visit to the region.

The official confirmed that the operation, codenamed "Gideon’s Chariots", includes a plan to displace Gaza residents and that the resumption of humanitarian aid entry would only occur after the launch of the operation.

On his part, the Israeli military's Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned ministers that the operation could put the lives of the captives at risk.

Despite these warnings from the military leadership, the Security Cabinet unanimously decided on Monday to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Also on Monday, families of the Israeli captives held in Gaza accused the government of sacrificing the remaining captives through the newly approved military escalation plan.

France 'strongly' condemns 'Israel's' expansion of Gaza operations

In a related context, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday that Paris "very strongly" condemns "Israel's" new military campaign in Gaza.

His comments come a day after "Israel's" military said expanded operations in Gaza would include displacing "most" of its residents after the security cabinet approved a plan that an Israeli official said will entail "the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories."

"It's unacceptable," Barrot said in a radio interview, stressing that the Israeli government was "in violation of humanitarian law."

"Israel's" decision comes as the UN and aid organizations have repeatedly warned of the humanitarian catastrophe on the ground, with famine again looming after more than two months of a total Israeli blockade.

Nearly all of the Gaza Strip's 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once during the war.

Read more: Hamas rejects another futile Israeli proposal on Gaza war: Source

  • Gaza Strip
  • Palestine
  • IOF
  • Israel
  • France
  • Gaza

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and Egyptian workers search for the bodies of hostages in a tunnel discovered during searches in Hamad City, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' obstructing Gaza body recovery, creating false claims: Hamas

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam talks to US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus at the Grand Serail in Beirut, Lebanon, October 28, 2025 (NNA)
Politics

Salam conveys to Ortagus goals behind any possible negotiations

Writers boycott NYT, demand justice as Gaza media ban faces court
Politics

300+ writers boycott NYT Opinion, cite persistent anti-Palestine bias

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, Injure 3 Palestinians
Politics

Settlers attack West Bank olive harvesters, injure 3 Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS