Netanyahu convenes defense brass to discuss next steps against Hamas

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with top defense leaders tonight (Thursday) to discuss the next steps in the war on Hamas, according to Ynet military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua.

According to Yehoshua, the two major options are reducing humanitarian aid and/or taking over parts of the northern Gaza Strip, with the aim of tightening the noose around Hamas. This would serve as a way to pressure Hamas after the murder of the six hostages and Hamas' reported foot-dragging in hostage negotiations.

Meanwhile, intelligence sources speaking with the Jewish Chronicle said that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has plans to smuggle himself and remaining senior Hamas leaders out of Gaza to Iran via Sinai - with hostages as a shield.

According to the sources, Sinwar sees the Philadelphi corridor as the only way to survive, his terrorist organization having been broken, and is thus insistent on the IDF leaving it, as otherwise he cannot realize his escape plan.