TEL AVIV — Israel is preparing for the next stage of the war in the Gaza Strip, which could start in two to three weeks, shifting from high-intensity combat against Hamas operatives to more focused operations with significantly less presence on the ground.
Two Israeli military helicopters landed in Beersheba on Sunday, bringing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to the headquarters of the army’s Southern Command. They were greeted there by Israel’s top military commander Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman and senior intelligence and Shin Bet security agency officials. The discussion centered on the long-awaited declaration ending Israel’s intense fighting phase in Gaza, the withdrawal of most troops from the enclave and the shift to pinpoint raids against local militant holdouts.
Barely 24 hours later, some 20 rockets and shells were fired from the Gaza town of Khan Younis into southern Israel. No damage or casualties were reported. Israel responded by shelling and bombing the launch sites.
Gaza decision awaited
