For the next phase of the war in Gauze Israel is getting ready. Although operations in the Gaza Strip around the Al Shifa hospital have not been completed, it appears that the IDF has already planned the expansion of land operations in the areas of Zeitoun and Jabaliawhich are already being bombarded by air force and heavy artillery.

According to reports, the battle at Al Shifa Hospital will continue, the data, however, has changed on two levels:

1) It is assumed that even if the information of the Israeli secret services about its headquarters is confirmed Hamas below Al Shifa Hospital, it is believed to have been cleared by the organization’s leadership team, while any evidence that could help the Israelis or reveal plans and locations will have been removed.

2) The labyrinthine system of tunnels under the hospital contains enormous dangers for the Israeli soldiers. In the event of an attack on the Hamas underground, the casualties are estimated to be very high, at the same time as the reactions inside Israel against Netanyahu’s government, but also the reactions of the international community are increasing. Already the Israeli army counts 56 dead officially and while the operations have not started in the tunnels, while most of the Hamas armed forces have not been dealt with.

According to Israeli media, IDF operations at Al Shifa Hospital now depend on the evacuation of the facilities by patients. On the table is the intensification of operations at the hospital premises with heavy weapons and air support. This, however, requires a total evacuation of the hospital.

The plan, according to the IDF, is for ground operations to advance toward the Central Gazastarting from the areas of Zeitoun and Jabalia.

The Israelis believe that hundreds of Hamas fighters have taken refuge in these areas. In the same areas, however, large refugee camps have been established, which makes a direct confrontation operation almost prohibitive, unless the refugees are first evacuated.

The northern front with Hezbollah is also expanding

The situation is also difficult on the northern border of Israel, as the rocket attacks from its territory Lebanon and clashes with Hezbollah enclaves are intensifying.

Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant says that along the border with Lebanon the IDF is working to strike Hezbollah targets and restore security in the north of the country.

After an assessment with IDF officials in the north, Gallant says in a statement that the military is responding to attacks from Lebanon with all means at its disposal.

Gallant stated that the Israeli Army responds to Hezbollah’s rocket attacks and hits the group’s infrastructure. “We are ready to face any challenge,” the Israeli defense minister said.

“Our goal is to make the people of the north feel safe. This process will take a little longer, but we will get there.”