Zamir’s Gaza strategy: Nearly 100,000 IDF troops to move swiftly to conquer Gaza City

In the coming days, ground forces, accompanied by the Air Force, will begin moving toward new areas to increase pressure on Hamas.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has determined the scale of the ground forces that will participate in the new Gaza City operation, Walla learned Monday.

Before presenting the plan to the defense minister on Tuesday, it was decided that numerous brigade-sized combat teams, comprising at least 80,000 soldiers, would encircle and conquer Gaza City to destroy Hamas’ core terror infrastructure and the primary government symbols still under its control.

“This is a broad plan that will exact a heavy price from Hamas, but it also carries great risks for IDF forces,” said a military source familiar with preparations for the large-scale operation.

The IDF will not wait weeks, military sources told Walla. In the coming days, ground forces, accompanied by the air force, will begin moving toward new areas to increase pressure on Hamas.

Meanwhile, senior IDF officials expressed concern that the conquest of areas in the heart of Gaza City and other locations could lead to the IDF being directly responsible for distributing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population until most of them relocate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Zamir visited the Gaza Strip on Sunday, accompanied by Southern Command Commander Yaniv Asor and Head of the Operations Branch Itzik Cohen, to analyze the plan and gain further insights into the combat strategy and operational logic before making decisions.

Zamir’s visit to the Gaza Strip

“The chief of staff wanted to feel the terrain, see things firsthand, understand the movement routes and methods of fighting, and hear from the commanders leading the fighting how it looks through their eyes before making crucial decisions,” military sources said.

In closed-door meetings, Zamir emphasized that the operating forces would reach areas where the IDF has not yet operated.

This will require sharpness, precision, and thoroughness while maintaining the security and safety of the forces.

Simultaneously, the chief of staff instructed that planning and activities on the ground be closely aligned with recommendations from the IDF’s Missing Persons and Hostages Headquarters.

Another key point Zamir stressed was that the ground operation should not begin before the Palestinian population is moved – something that will not happen until the humanitarian aid system is established. The humanitarian effort, in coordination with international aid organizations, is led by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Rassan Aliyan.

Additionally, the chief of staff clarified to commanders the need to increase the operational readiness of armored vehicles, including Merkava tanks, Namer APCs, Namer armored vehicles, and Eitan armored vehicles, in preparation for aggressive maneuvering.

As a result, the Technology and Logistics Directorate, led by Michel Yanko, has expedited processes to meet the deadlines set by Zamir.

The chief of staff instructed the allocation of special resources, including staff equipment, for communications to synchronize all forces participating in the operation in the air, at sea, and on the ground.

It was already decided at this stage to call up reservists for the command posts and special situation rooms. In addition, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai visited the Southern Command in recent days, examined the processes, and provided recommendations for implementation regarding the start of the operation.