In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced that Israel is actively preparing for the next phase of the war, which might involve a multilateral operation in the air, ground, and sea. Speaking during a tour of the Ashdod Navy base, Gallant emphasized the crucial role the navy will play in the upcoming phase.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, confirmed on Monday that Hamas currently holds at least 222 hostages. This revelation adds further urgency to Israel's preparations as they strive to ensure the safety of their citizens and regain control over the situation.

On a relatively quiet Monday, compared to the preceding days of intense conflict dubbed Operation Swords of Iron, both Hamas and Hezbollah threats continued to grow. In a significant development, Hamas announced that it had launched drones towards Israel from Gaza. The IDF promptly identified and neutralized the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as they crossed into Israeli territory near Nir Oz and Ein Habesor. As a precautionary measure, numerous communities residing in proximity to the Gaza Strip have been evacuated, including 25 communities within a few kilometers of the border and another 29 communities situated between 4 and 7 kilometers.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, intensified its attacks on Israel. In a rare incident, the terrorist group used a UAV to attempt infiltration from the sea. Although previous threats from Hezbollah have targeted Israel's energy installations off the coast, this incident represents a heightened level of aggression. Israeli air defenses successfully intercepted the drone. The IDF also reported that terrorists from Lebanon targeted the Mount Dov area and Kiryat Shmona in the North. Kiryat Shmona was already evacuated last week, and most communities near the Lebanese border are depopulated, ensuring the safety of civilians.

The IDF has been actively eliminating terrorist commanders in Gaza. In recent strikes, the IDF successfully targeted five commanders, including Muad Abu Murad, who was involved in air operations, and Muad Abdel Rahman, a terrorist with a focus on training. Other strikes targeted Othman Hamdan, involved in air "defense," Muhad al-Rifi, connected to terrorist logistics, and Essan Shalouf, also linked to training "air defenses" in the northern region of Gaza. Additionally, an Air Force operation neutralized a squad responsible for launching surface-to-air missiles. These targeted strikes signify Israel's continued efforts to disrupt Hamas infrastructure and eliminate key members.

While Israel's military preparedness remains of paramount concern, the wider regional forces at play could influence Israel's decision to wait before taking further action. The United States is playing a crucial role in both encouraging Israel to exercise patience and deterring Hezbollah from launching additional attacks. Iran's use of proxies to threaten US forces is a concerning factor. Simultaneously, the Israeli Air Force has continued to neutralize Hamas targets in Gaza, with 320 strikes recorded overnight between Sunday and Monday.

The IDF currently faces significant challenges in countering anti-tank missile threats, with Kornet and other types of missiles posing a considerable danger. In response, the IDF has targeted dozens of sites in Gaza that house mortar and anti-tank launch posts, working to shape the battlefield and pave the way for subsequent operations.

The toll of the conflict has been tragic, with two IDF soldiers losing their lives in recent days due to anti-tank missile attacks from Gaza and Lebanon. Combat Engineering Corps Cpl. Tamir Barak of Nir Eliyahu was killed near Kissufim when an anti-tank missile struck an IDF bulldozer and engineering team. St.-Sgt. (res.) Omer Balva of the Alexandroni Brigade was killed on Friday by anti-tank fire from Lebanon. Hezbollah reported the deaths of two more members yesterday, bringing the estimated number of Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon to 30. Since the beginning of the war, Hamas has fired over 7,000 rockets, while the IDF has targeted thousands of terror sites in Gaza and dozens in Lebanon. According to Gaza officials, more than 5,000 casualties have been reported in the Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict.

As Israel continues its preparations for a potential multilateral operation, the situation remains tense. The need to neutralize threats and protect Israeli citizens is met with the complexities of regional dynamics and the ongoing efforts of terrorist organizations. The coming days will undoubtedly be crucial in determining the path forward.