IDF Restricts Gaza Strikes to Immediate Threats Only, Requires Chief of Staff Approval

Following conflicting statements from Israeli military officials about ceasefire orders, the IDF has issued new instructions to its forces in the Gaza Strip. From Tuesday onward, airstrikes will be limited strictly to neutralizing immediate threats, and targeted killings will only be authorized by the Chief of Staff and political leadership. This directive came after a day without Israeli strikes in Gaza and a recent attack on a vehicle that reportedly killed two people.

The new military stance coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Nikolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Mladenov requested a two-week halt to Israeli attacks to facilitate progress toward agreements with Hamas. Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey jointly condemned what they described as Israel's ongoing violations in Gaza and called for international pressure on Israel to fulfill its commitments.

Behind the scenes, disagreements persist over Israel's withdrawal from Gaza as part of the phased disarmament deal with Hamas and other terrorist groups. The plan envisions a gradual Israeli pullback to the "yellow line" established in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange, after which Hamas would be disarmed. Currently, the IDF controls about 70% of Gaza's territory. A senior Israeli official emphasized that Israel will not retreat from its current positions and will continue to prevent threats to its citizens and soldiers.

The announcement followed statements by ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Strook, who alleged that the security cabinet was misinformed about the Gaza plan. They criticized the notion of gradual withdrawal tied to Hamas disarmament, calling it a sham since weapons are transferred to Palestinian authorities in Ramallah, where laws allegedly do not criminalize terrorism against Israelis.

In response to the controversy, the UN Peace Council issued a statement highlighting a constructive meeting between Mladenov and Netanyahu. The council reaffirmed the shared goal of completely disarming Gaza and transitioning to civilian governance, stressing that Israeli withdrawal beyond the yellow line will only occur after full disarmament. This process will be monitored by an international stabilization force and a verification committee including the US and the Peace Council. Continued progress depends on all parties fulfilling their agreed commitments.