U.S. investigative journalist, Seymour Hersh has said that Israel is in deliberation over adopting a “Leningrad strategy” to isolate Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. This move will potentially cancel the need for a ground invasion.
Hersh’s information suggests that implementing this plan could have severe consequences, with an Israeli national security veteran estimating the potential loss of about 100,000 residents.
‘The big debate today … is whether to starve Hamas out or kill as many as 100,000 people in Gaza,’ the source told Hersh.
‘Hamas now only has a two or three-day supply of purified water and that, along with a lack of food … may be enough to flush all the Hamas (forces) out,’ he added.
On Monday, Israel made public its decision to impose a full blockade on Gaza, resulting in the cut-off of vital supplies, including food, water, medicines, fuel, and electricity.
Gaza’s precarious state has further deteriorated as civilian sites, including mosques, hospitals, educational institutions, and residential buildings, continue to be struck by round-the-clock airstrikes.
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Hersh, citing a source, reported that Hamas forces are thought to primarily inhabit underground locations, which is why the “Leningrad approach” is considered to avoid the difficult and costly ground offensive involving building-by-building combat.
The source pointed out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the nation’s military leadership have reservations about their forces’ readiness for a ground offensive in Gaza, noting that many of them have not been trained for combat and primarily serve as security guards in the West Bank.
It is indicated by the source that the “Leningrad approach” may exert pressure on Hamas to release Israeli women and children, who had been held hostage, in exchange for supplies.
The source said that the high fluidity and unpredictability of the situation, mentioning that Israel could potentially proceed with a general ground invasion.
Approximately 360,000 reservists have been engaged in accelerated training since their call-up, and, according to the source, Israel could make a choice regarding its military strategy by the week’s end.