Washington asked Tel Aviv to postpone the comprehensive operation in Gaza

Washington asked Tel Aviv to postpone the operation in Gaza

 Israeli media: Washington asked Tel Aviv to postpone the comprehensive operation in Gaza

The Jerusalem Post, citing informed sources, reported that the American request included two main points: postponing the comprehensive ground incursion and allowing negotiations to continue in parallel with the limited military operations currently underway.

Hebrew media revealed on Sunday that the US administration asked Israel to postpone its comprehensive military operation in the Gaza Strip and allow the possibility of reaching a prisoner exchange deal, amid Tel Aviv's continued attacks on various parts of the Strip.

The Jerusalem Post revealed that the United States asked Israel to postpone the launch of the large-scale ground operation in the Gaza Strip, with the aim of "giving the hostage exchange negotiations more time to achieve tangible progress."

The newspaper quoted informed sources as saying that the American request included two main points: postponing the comprehensive ground incursion and allowing negotiations to continue in parallel with the limited military operations currently underway.

Israeli officials confirmed to the newspaper that any major ground operation would make the withdrawal of forces from the areas they control unthinkable, even if an agreement is reached, complicating efforts to reach a ceasefire later. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz recently stated that the army "will operate with full force and will not stop until all objectives are achieved," referring to the anticipated operation in Gaza.

Despite the current military escalation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last Wednesday that he was "prepared for a temporary ceasefire with the aim of returning the hostages," indicating the possibility of adopting a flexible approach if negotiations make progress.

On May 4, the Israeli Security Cabinet approved the "Gideon Wagons" plan to expand the war in Gaza. The government subsequently began preparations for it by calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.

On May 18, the Israeli army announced the actual start of the operation, with a ground attack from several directions. Last Thursday, the newspaper Israel Hayom reported that the Israeli army "plans to seize control of 70-75% of the Gaza Strip within approximately three months as part of a broader military campaign against the Strip."

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced on Sunday that the death toll from Israeli bombardment on the Strip has risen to 53,939 and 122,797 wounded since October 7, 2023. It noted that "a number of victims remain under the rubble and on the streets, unable to be reached by ambulance and civil defense crews."