Israel's vision of the ground offensive against Hamas.

Israel would shift to an apparently scaled-down "new combat approach" in northern Gaza, while continuing to fight Hamas in the south of the territory "for as long as necessary".

A proposal on how Gaza would be run once Hamas is defeated with Israel keeping security control while an undefined, Israeli-guided Palestinian body runs day-to-day administration and the US and other countries oversee rebuilding.

The document issued by Israel's defence minister is titled "Vision for Phase 3" of the war which has not yet begun.

The defence minister's statement underlined that the war would go on until Hamas' military and government capabilities are eliminated and the more than 100 hostages still in captivity are returned.

In the north, the Israeli forces will shift to a new approach that includes raids, destruction of tunnels, "air and ground activities and special operations". The aim would be "the erosion" of the remaining Hamas presence.

My take

A clear cut aim!

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.

Lekha goes to town for :-

      * visiting Trends 

      * buying our fruit basket.

The usual evening chores.