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News Analysis
After warning of a major ground operation, Israel has bombarded Gaza but has yet to start a big advance. The threat to do so may be an attempt to force Hamas to compromise in cease-fire talks.
May 19, 2025, 5:39 a.m. ET
For weeks, the Israeli military has promised a major new ground offensive in Gaza. And for days, the Israeli military has escalated its bombardment of the territory, killing hundreds, and signaled that it will send in more troops to capture more of the enclave. Yet despite all this, the military has yet to begin a significant advance.
The reason, analysts and officials say, is that Israel is waiting to see how Hamas responds to a new and intense round of negotiations over a cease-fire, amid pressure from the Trump administration for the two sides to reach a truce. Israel has been pressing Hamas to release several hostages, in exchange for a truce, while Hamas has been holding out for a permanent deal. But Israel hopes that the fear of losing more territory may prompt Hamas to settle for less.
“Everything has to be read in the context of negotiations for a new cease-fire and hostage deal,” said Shira Efron, director of research at Israel Policy Forum, a New York-based research group.
“Israel has started a new ground operation, but it’s all still reversible,” Dr. Efron said. “For now, this is a negotiating tool — it puts more pressure on Hamas to compromise in the talks.”
The contrast between Israel’s stated goals and its actions also reflects a tension within the country’s government.
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