Israel plans to occupy and flatten all of Gaza if no deal by Trump's trip

Israel has set President Trump's visit to the Middle East next week as a deadline for a new hostage and ceasefire deal, with a massive ground operation to commence if no deal is reached, Israeli officials say.

Why it matters: Israel's Security Cabinet approved a plan Sunday night to gradually reoccupy all of Gaza and hold it indefinitely if no deal is reached by May 15. Plans for the operation call for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to flatten any buildings that remain standing and displace virtually the entire population of 2 million people to a single "humanitarian area."

• The alternative to remaining in the humanitarian zone is for Palestinians to leave the enclave "voluntarily" for other countries "in line with President Trump's vision for Gaza," an Israeli official said.
• Such departures could hardly be considered voluntary, and no country has agreed thus far to accept displaced Palestinians. Israeli officials claim there are ongoing negotiations with several countries on that front.

Between the lines: Many Israeli officials see this operation as a nuclear option and would much prefer a deal in the next two weeks.

• Trump is not currently playing an active role in efforts to reach a ceasefire and has effectively given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a green light to do as he sees fit, Israeli officials say.

Split screen: Trump will travel to the Middle East starting Monday for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

• Trump is not currently expected to visit Israel. U.S. and Israeli officials say the ongoing war in Gaza is the primary reason. "Nothing good can come out of a visit to Israel at the moment," one U.S. official told Axios.

The plan Israel approved Sunday, codenamed "Gideon's chariots," is aimed at "completely defeating Hamas," Israeli officials said.

"The preparations for the operation allow a window of opportunity until the end of President Trump's trip to the region to reach a hostage and ceasefire deal. If no deal is reached the operation will go forward," an Israeli official said.

Complete Article

https://www.axios.com/2025/05/05/israel-gaza-destroy-trump-deal

 

[Tall Timbers]

It's time that Israel completely defeat hamas and possess gaza forever.

 

[Andy C]

It's time that Israel completely defeat hamas and possess gaza forever.

That’s seems to be the direction this war is going.

 

[Margery]

That lines up with what Bill Salus was saying this weekend in a couple of different interviews. IDF taking care of their near enemies. Still need to deal with Lebanon and Syria. Egypt and Jordan need to stay out of the way.