Against backdrop of Jordanian concerns over Gaza operation, Israel's COGAT visits Hashemite Kingdom
Israel's IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj.-Gen. Ghassan Alian, visited Jordan earlier this week, the Kan Reshet Bet news outlet reported this morning (Wednesday).
Alian's visit to the kingdom came amid Jordanian concerns over the expansion of the military operation in Gaza. Jordan is seeking to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and has recently been operating a field hospital there.
In the past, the head of Israeli Military Intelligence and COGAT visited Jordan following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, amid Jordanian concerns about the ongoing fighting in Gaza.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) released a statement two days ago, citing a "political source," who said the new battle plan approved by the Israeli Cabinet includes the conquest of the Gaza Strip. According to the plans, the intensified operation in the Strip is expected to continue for months.
"The plan will include, among other things, the conquest and control of the territory, moving the Gazan population southward for their protection, denying Hamas the ability to distribute humanitarian aid, and carrying out powerful strikes against Hamas – actions that will contribute to its defeat," the statement said.
Kan News reported that the objective of the IDF in the framework of Operation “Gideon's Chariots” is to divide the Gaza Strip and conquer “selected areas” of it, but not the entire territory. Israeli government ministers were told that this is a "gradual and evolving plan to conquer the Strip, defeat Hamas, and create conditions for the return of the hostages." The plan includes conquering most of the Gaza Strip, including the northern perimeter, and segmenting it from the rest of the area.
Kan News also learned that the previous IDF plan had included preparations to establish a military government in Gaza, but this does not appear in the recently approved plan. It is important to note that behind the approval of the operation’s objectives lies concern for the safety of the hostages.
Suleiman is a political reporter for KAN 11.
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