Axios — Barak Ravid — May 5, 2025
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."
Between the lines:Many Israeli officials see this operation as a nuclear option and would much prefer a deal in the next two weeks.
The big picture: The return to full-fledged war would come after Israel already cut off all supplies of food, water and medicine for civilians in Gaza after the ceasefire broke down two months ago.
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.
Between the lines:U.S. and Arab officials involved in the preparations for the trip said Gaza is not a top priority for Trump, and he's expected to focus on bilateral issues and investments.
State of play:Israeli and U.S. officials admit that the negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal are stuck.
Zoom in:The plan Israel approved Sunday, codenamed "Gideon's Chariots," is aimed at "completely defeating Hamas," Israeli officials said.
The tactic will be massive destruction.
The latest:On Monday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he would help get food to people in Gaza. "They are starving. Hamas is making it impossible because they are getting everything brought in. We are going to help the people of Gaza because they have been treated very badly by Hamas," he said.
The Israeli Cabinet decision is highly controversial domestically, especially because it entails the mobilization of 70,000 reservists, most of whom have served for more than 300 days since the Oct. 7 attacks.
What's next:"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.