IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has determined the scale of the ground forces that will participate in the new Gaza City operation.

Axar.az, citing JP, reports that before presenting the plan to the defense minister on Tuesday, it was decided that numerous brigade-sized combat teams, comprising at least 80,000 soldiers, would encircle and conquer Gaza City to destroy Hamas' core terror infrastructure and the primary government symbols still under its control.

"This is a broad plan that will exact a heavy price from Hamas, but it also carries great risks for IDF forces," said a military source familiar with preparations for the large-scale operation.

Meanwhile, senior IDF officials expressed concern that the conquest of areas in the heart of Gaza City and other locations could lead to direct IDF responsibility for distributing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population, until most of them relocate to the southern Gaza Strip.