"Israel's top security chiefs - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff Gen. Eyal Zamir, the heads of Mossad, Shin Bet and military intelligence - advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching the operation. They warned it could: Endanger the lives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Lead to heavy IDF casualties. Fail to dismantle Hamas. Force Israel into direct military rule over Gaza's two million residents."
"Hamas is still holding 48 hostages, with about 20 believed to be alive. According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry, more than 64,000 Palestinians - most of them women and children - have been killed since Israel's offensive began after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. Roughly 900,000 Palestinians remain in Gaza City. Israeli officials say only 70,000 have left in recent days, raising fears the new assault could dramatically increase the death toll."
"The IDF said Friday it would conduct strikes against several high-rises where Hamas has allegedly installed cameras and positioned war rooms, snipers and anti-tank missiles to target the Israeli military. The IDF said Hamas also planted explosive devices near the buildings and is planning to detonate them against Israeli forces based on the intelligence it receives from the surveillance cameras. The IDF issued a warning on Friday morning to all people in the area of the Mushtaha high-rise in Gaza City ahead of a planned strike. Two hours later, the building was bombed from the air and flattened. A video on social media shows the building collapses after being hit by three missiles."
Top Israeli security chiefs, including IDF chief Gen. Eyal Zamir and the heads of Mossad, Shin Bet and military intelligence, advised Prime Minister Netanyahu against a Gaza ground operation because it could endanger hostages, cause heavy IDF casualties, fail to dismantle Hamas and impose direct military rule over Gaza's two million residents. The security officials recommended pursuing a hostage-and-ceasefire deal. Hamas is holding 48 hostages, about 20 believed alive. The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry reports more than 64,000 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children. Roughly 900,000 Palestinians remain in Gaza City. The IDF struck high-rises it said were used by Hamas and flattened the Mushtaha building after issuing warnings.
Read at Axios
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