ISRAEL SHIFTS THE GOAL POSTS IN GAZA WAR

Troops appear to be splitting up enclave, amid ambiguity over endgame. By Isabel Kershner

- Isabel Kershner

Israel’s leaders have articulated various goals for the expanding war in the Gaza Strip, spreading confusion over how the objectives might be achieved and on what terms the renewed campaign might end.

The primary aim is to seize or erase Hamas’ infrastructure, releasing the dozens of remaining hostages in Gaza. But other goals have emerged.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had moved up a gear in Gaza, expanding from territory Israel controlled into Gaza’s interior, to seize territory and splitting up the enclave. He reiterated his ultimate goals of crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and terminating its rule over Gaza, neither of which have been achieved in more than a year of war.

The defense minister, Israel Katz, said a day earlier that the military was seizing more territory to protect its forces and border towns, suggesting the possibility of a longer term presence.

And over the weekend, Mr. Netanyahu said Israelis would decide what he described as the voluntary emigration of Gaza residents, without clarifying where they would go.

If all of these different objectives have created uncertainty about what is to come, that may be intentional.

The military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said on Wednesday that Israel would “preserve operational ambiguity and the element of surprise” during a field visit to Gaza. “The only thing that can await our advance is the release of our hostages!”