Milan, May 5 (LaPresse) – “We do not intend to enter areas where it is feared hostages may be present,” said a senior officer from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), as reported by Ynet, in a clarification regarding the newly approved Israeli plan to expand the military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The plan has stirred controversy, with the Hostages' Families Forum protesting that Israel is "choosing territory over hostages." Ynet clarified that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir’s warning — reported by Channel 13 — about the risk of losing hostages due to the Gaza offensive escalation does not refer to the plan just approved by the Israeli Cabinet. According to Ynet, Zamir's statement dates back two weeks and referred to a scenario in which the IDF would operate at full capacity with a comprehensive and forceful maneuver across the entire Strip.