Israeli security ministers have approved plans to expand military attacks on Hamas. This reportedly includes the capture of Gaza and the retention of territory.
The Israeli military said it was “increasing pressure” with the aim of calling tens of thousands of reserves in preparation for its move, bringing the remaining Israeli hostages home and defeating Hamas.
Reports show that it will only take place after President Donald Trump visits the area next week.
The Cabinet also reportedly approved a plan to resume humanitarian aid delivery through private companies, as a rule.
The United Nations and other aid agencies say the proposal is a violation of basic humanitarian principles and will not cooperate.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security minister met on Sunday evening to discuss the Gaza attack that reopened when Israel ended its two-month ceasefire on March 18th.
Israeli media said the ministers unanimously approved the gradually expanding of ground operations over the course of several months.
The first phase includes the seizing of additional regions in Gaza and the expansion of Israel-designated “buffer zones” running along the territorial boundaries between Israel and Egypt, with the aim of Israel giving additional leverage to negotiations with Hamas with a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
Israeli officials said Netanyahu’s expanded attack “expanded the attack in terms of transitioning from raid-based operations to territorial occupation and continuing Israeli presence in Gaza.”
Security Cabinet member Zeev Elkin told public broadcaster Kang that “there is still a window of opportunity” for the new hostage release before President Trump traveled to the Middle East “if Hamas knew we were serious.”
During a visit to the naval base on Sunday, Israeli military chief General Eyal Zamid told the special forces that tens of thousands of reserves were being called out “to strengthen and expand operations in Gaza.”
“We are increasing pressure with the aim of bringing people into the home and defeating Hamas. We will be working in additional areas and destroying all the terrorist infrastructure on and below the ground,” he said.
However, critics say this is a failed strategy. Because none of the 59 remaining hostages have been released since the attack resumed six weeks ago.
The Hostages and Missing Family Forum said it would “represent the hostage relatives” and that the plan would “choose territory over hostages” by the government and that this “contradicts the will of more than 70% of the Israeli people.”
An Israeli political source told AFP News Agency that the security cabinet has approved “the possibility of humanitarian distribution where necessary, to prevent Hamas from managing supplies and destroying governance capabilities, where necessary.”
On Sunday, the Humanitarian State Team (HCT), a forum that includes UN agencies, said that Israeli officials are asking for “closure of existing aid distribution systems” and that they would agree to provide us with supplies based on the condition that “we agreed to resume crossings under conditions set by the government under conditions set by the Israeli military.”
The HCT warned that the plan would mean a large part of Gaza, including people with fewer mobile and the most vulnerable.
“It appears to be a violation of basic humanitarian principles and is designed to enhance control over life support items as a pressure tactic as part of a military strategy,” he said.
“It’s dangerous, driving civilians into militarized zones, gathering rations, threatening lives, including people of humanitarian workers, and preventing forced evacuation.”
Israel blocked Gaza Aid from delivering all humanitarian and other supplies on March 2, two weeks before the attack resumed.
The UN says Israel is mandated under international law to ensure the supply of Gaza’s 2.1 million Palestinians. Israel says it complies with international law and there is no shortage of aid.
Israeli forces launched a campaign on October 7, 2023 to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack.
At least 52,535 people have since died in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamasran Ministry of Health.
