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IDF chief of general staff approves plans to continue operation in Gaza

On June 1, Eyal Zamir gave orders to expand combat in additional districts in the enclave’s north and south

TEL AVIV, June 6. /TASS/. Israeli Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has held a meeting and approved plans to continue the operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army press service reported in a statement.

Zamir "held a situational assessment and approved operational plans at the Southern Command for the continuation of the operation in the Gaza Strip," the statement reads. On June 1, he gave orders to expand combat in additional districts in the enclave’s north and south.

On March 18, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) resumed fighting in the Gaza Strip, launching massive strikes on the enclave and thus breaking the ceasefire established in January. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel had restarted military operations in the enclave after the Gaza-based Palestinian movement Hamas rejected the US proposals put forward by mediators and US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff. The office claimed that the Israeli military had resumed strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza to advance the release of hostages and that the army would intensify its campaign in the enclave. The Gaza-based movement has blamed the United States for the renewal of Israeli aggression.

On May 18, the IDF announced that it was launching military operations in the enclave’s northern and southern regions as part of its Gideon’s Chariots ground offensive aimed at defeating Hamas forces in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages. Netanyahu said that following the operation, the IDF plans to take control over the entire Gaza Strip.