Israeli security chiefs told Prime Minister Netanyahu that
the planned Gaza City takeover will “inevitably” result in hostage deaths, Kan
reports.
Compared to earlier security establishment predictions on the operation in Gaza City, this one is more conclusive. The cabinet has already cautioned that the operation may put the hostages being kept there in danger.
During today's meeting, the security chiefs also cautioned ministers that although the evacuation of Gaza City has gone comparatively smoothly so far, hundreds of thousands of the one million residents are likely to stay, unlike the Rafah operation last year, when the IDF was able to evacuate nearly everyone in advance.
Because they would rather be killed in their homes than undergo an uncertain evacuation process to densely populated tent-cities in the south, where resources will be even more scarce as the displaced population grows, many Palestinians have been refusing to leave Gaza City.
Israel claims to be increasing humanitarian services for the displaced people, but Hamas is reportedly deterring Palestinians from following evacuation instructions.
According to Kan, the security chiefs informed cabinet members that the IDF would be responsible for the vast population that is anticipated to remain in Gaza City, and that troops would be required to provide them with relief and other essential services.
The security establishment also cautioned that the liberation of Gaza City will take far longer than currently expected.
Although Netanyahu claims to have instructed the IDF to shorten the operation's schedule, the security chiefs stated that it would probably take several months, and even then, it is uncertain if the takeover's objectives will be achieved, according to Kan.
Are there independent confirmations of the warning from other sources?
At this point, there seem to be no independently verified
public confirmations regarding the Israeli security chiefs' specific warning to
ministers that the Gaza City takeover plan will "result in the killings of
hostages."
The report from public broadcaster Kan probably relied on the security cabinet meeting of prime minister Netanyahu, especially given the content of the lid briefed and the briefings and internal evaluations. There is no public report or comment from independent press, foreign intelligence, or an international organization on this specific warning.
Considering the sensitive issues and operational secrecy surrounding hostage taking and planning military operations in Gaza, this assessment will likely be classified and have limits on distribution.