Officials said to agree operation’s goals fulfilled, next hours ‘critical’ for possible truce

After a security briefing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held with his security chiefs at the IDF’s Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Hebrew media cite a message by the premier’s office that Israel will continue its operation in Gaza “as needed” and “continue to exact a heavy price from Islamic Jihad for its aggression against Israel’s citizens.”

All participants in the meeting agreed that the operation’s goals have been achieved, Channel 12 reports.

Several news outlets say it was decided to continue striking Gaza to pressure the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group to agree to a ceasefire, indicating that continued fighting will lead to escalated Israeli actions. The reports also say that ceasefire negotiations with Egyptian mediation have been renewed after appearing earlier to collapse.

Another reported decision is to pressure Hamas to push for a truce as well by closing the crossings between Israel and the Strip and not allowing goods and fuel to enter.

The Kan public broadcaster quoted an unnamed senior diplomatic official saying: “The next few hours are critical regarding whether we’re going to a ceasefire or to continued fighting.”