The Jerusalem Post reported on the 25th (local time) that the United States has asked Israel to postpone a large-scale ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. According to multiple sources, the United States has proposed to Israel to postpone a full-scale invasion operation so that it can conduct ceasefire negotiations with the Palestinian armed group Hamas in parallel with the military operation in the Gaza Strip.
As soon as President Donald Trump finished his Middle East tour on the 16th, Israel launched Operation Gideon’s Chariots, a high-intensity offensive aimed at recapturing the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials said that if the Israeli military launches a full-scale ground invasion, it is highly likely that it will not withdraw from the occupied Gaza Strip regardless of the terms of future negotiations, which will further complicate the prospects for a ceasefire.
Israel and Hamas have been discussing the release of 10 hostages and a 60-day ceasefire proposed by President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, but the negotiations have stalled.
The Jerusalem Post added that the previous day, Israel withdrew all its delegation sent to Qatar, a mediator, but the U.S. side remains and continues indirect discussions with Hamas. The Israeli military issued a statement on the same day, saying that tanks from the 401st Brigade killed several terrorists in northern Gaza the previous day, and that airstrikes by Air Force fighter jets continued.
The Hamas-run Gaza Information Bureau claimed that Israel effectively controls 77 percent of the entire Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, he criticized Israel for “direct ground invasions, deployment of troops in residential and civilian areas, strong fire control to prevent Palestinian residents from accessing their homes and property, and unjust forced evictions.”