Israel Planning to Launch Another War Against Hamas, Some Say Despite the ceasefire, tensions persist.

As of March 2, 2025, there is no definitive, official confirmation from credible sources that Israel is currently preparing for a "final assault" against Hamas. However, I can provide context based on available information and recent developments.

Following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and led to the capture of more than 250 hostages, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza with the stated goals of dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and securing the release of hostages. A ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, took effect on January 19, 2025, pausing the conflict after 15 months of fighting. This deal has facilitated the release of some hostages and Palestinian prisoners, alongside a temporary halt in hostilities, with Israel beginning to withdraw forces and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Despite the ceasefire, tensions persist. Hamas has accused Israel of violating terms, such as delaying civilian movement to northern Gaza, while Israel has claimed Hamas failed to meet obligations, like providing a full list of living hostages. The ceasefire’s first phase was set to conclude around March 1, 2025, and negotiations for subsequent phases—potentially leading to a permanent truce—remain uncertain. Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal to extend the truce on March 1, demanding progression to the second phase, while Israel has signaled readiness to resume military action if talks falter.

Speculation about a "final assault" has circulated, notably from a YouTube video posted on February 28, 2025, titled "ISRAEL’S FINAL ASSAULT: 50,000 Troops To Mobilize To Eradicate Hamas – Op To Launch In 4-6 Weeks," which garnered attention on X. This claim suggests a large-scale operation might launch between late March and mid-April 2025. However, without corroboration from official Israeli government or military statements, this remains unverified and speculative. Such a mobilization would require significant logistical preparation, which has not been publicly confirmed by reliable news outlets as of now.

Israel’s long-standing objective, reiterated by officials like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is to eliminate Hamas as a military threat. The ceasefire has not altered this goal, and military analysts suggest Israel might resume operations if Hamas retains significant capacity or if hostage releases stall. Recent reports indicate Hamas’s infrastructure in Gaza has been heavily damaged, with over 17,000 fighters reportedly killed by August 2024, though it continues to function through a leadership committee following the death of Yahya Sinwar in October 2024.

Given the fragile ceasefire and mutual distrust, Israel could be planning further action, but no concrete evidence—such as troop movements or official announcements—confirms an imminent "final assault" as of March 2, 2025. The situation remains fluid, and any escalation would depend on the ceasefire’s outcome and political decisions in the coming weeks.