Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said Sunday that the Israel Defense Forces will “soon” enter the next phase of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots,” concentrating firepower on Gaza City until Hamas is defeated. Zamir, speaking during a tour of the enclave, promised to deploy the military’s full ground, air and naval capabilities and described the recovery of roughly 50 remaining hostages as the campaign’s foremost objective. Later in the day Zamir formally approved operational plans to seize control of Gaza City, Israel’s public broadcaster and Channel 12 reported. Military assessments cited by those outlets estimate the assault could last about four months. Zamir is expected to present the plan to Defence Minister Israel Katz and the security cabinet this week as part of what he called a long-term regional strategy. Preparations include distributing tents and relocating civilians from expected combat zones to southern Gaza, according to COGAT, the Defence Ministry body overseeing humanitarian operations. Hamas condemned the relocation plan as “a new wave of genocide and displacement.” The announcement comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis. Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israeli operations have killed at least 61,944 people and wounded 155,886 since October 2023, while local hospitals report 258 deaths from starvation, more than 40% of them children. United Nations agencies warn that nearly half a million residents face acute hunger.