Israel is looking to establish a new hostage deal with Hamas by the time US President Donald Trump embarks on his upcoming Middle East visit next week.

Should no deal materialise, the military plans to launch a massive ground operation in Gaza, an Israeli defence official claimed, as reported by local Israeli media.

“If there is no hostage deal, Operation 'Gideon Chariots' will begin with great intensity and will not stop until all its goals are achieved,” the defence official claimed, as quoted by Reuters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the decision for "intensified action" in a social media video following the cabinet meeting. "That was the IDF chief of staff's recommendation—to move, as he said, toward the defeat of Hamas. He believes this will also help us rescue the hostages. I agree with him," Netanyahu stated in a Q&A session posted on his X account.

“The goal is complete control of the Gaza Strip,” Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar told Kan Reshet Bet radio. “This move does endanger the hostages—it doesn’t help them—but there is no other choice but to bring about a decisive outcome.

According to The Times of Israel, the plan includes a comprehensive evacuation of Gaza's civilian population from combat zones to southern areas, creating separation between civilians and Hamas fighters to give the IDF "operational freedom of action." Unlike previous operations, Israeli forces will maintain a permanent presence in captured territories to prevent Hamas's return, applying the "Rafah model" of establishing security zones.

Humanitarian considerations will only be addressed once military operations commence and civilian evacuations are completed. The current "blockade" on aid will continue until then, according to the official.

Once implemented, the humanitarian plan involves creating a secure distribution zone in southern Gaza's Rafah, where civilians will undergo security screening before receiving aid from civilian companies under IDF protection.

On May 5, IntelliNews noted that Israel's Security Cabinet unanimously approved a new operational plan aimed at defeating Hamas in Gaza and securing the return of the remaining hostages being held in Gaza.

The cabinet also approved, by a large majority, provisions for humanitarian aid distribution that would prevent Hamas from controlling supplies while diminishing the organisation's governmental capabilities.

Gideon’s Chariots also contemplates facilitating the voluntary emigration of Gaza residents, "especially those concentrated in the south outside of Hamas control," aligning with the policy position previously articulated by Trump regarding Gazan relocation.

Following the collapse of the previous ceasefire deal and the resumption of ground activities, it appears as if the Israeli government is seeking a decisive end to the ongoing conflict, potentially leveraging the support of the US administration in an effort to fast-track its military and security goals which include the defeat of Hamas and the return of the remaining hostages.