Israel. The Israeli cabinet has approved a plan to expand military operations in Gaza. According to a government official, the plan aims to reassert control over the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army has recalled thousands of its troops under the same plan.
The decision comes as the United Nations and various aid agencies continue to warn of a serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The two-month-long complete blockade has raised the possibility of famine again.
The plan, approved by the cabinet overnight, includes a proposal to take control of some areas of Gaza and relocate its citizens to the south, officials said.
The Israeli army has resumed a major operation in Gaza since March 5. It is said that such an operation was launched when the previous two-month ceasefire did not reach a conclusion. Extensive air strikes and ground operations are being carried out since that operation. Rescue workers said at least 19 people were killed in the attacks in northern Gaza on Monday alone.
The expanded plan includes a major offensive in Gaza, the evacuation of residents to the south for safety, and the taking of control of Gaza, officials said.
Most of Gaza’s residents live in the northern area, especially Gaza City. Almost all have faced displacement at least once since the war began.
The cabinet, which includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers, unanimously approved the plan. The plan aims to defeat the group ruling Gaza and free the hostages.
The army chief said on Sunday that “tens of thousands” of troops would be called up.
At least 2,436 people have been killed in the Israeli offensive since March 5, according to health authorities in Gaza. The total death toll since the start of the war has reached 52,535.
The attack on October 7 last year killed 1,218 people on the Israeli side and took 251 hostages. Of those, 58 remain in Gaza, 34 of whom have been declared dead.
Israel says the operation in Gaza is aimed at freeing the remaining hostages. But critics say the move will put the lives of the hostages at greater risk.
A group representing hostage families has accused the plan of “sacrificing” the hostages in Gaza.
Along with plans to expand the war, Prime Minister Netanyahu is also pushing forward with US President Donald Trump’s proposal to voluntarily relocate Gazans to neighboring countries such as Jordan or Egypt. However, these countries, other Arab countries and the Gazans themselves have rejected the proposal.
The Israeli Defense Minister said a few months ago that a separate body would be established to facilitate the voluntary departure of Gazans.
In addition, the Israeli Cabinet has decided to keep the possibility of distributing aid to Gaza open if necessary, according to which the aid is said to be kept outside the control of Hamas.
According to an international news source, the US, Israel and a new international humanitarian organization are discussing alternative ways to resume aid to Gaza. .
The United Nations and non-governmental organizations working in Gaza have accused Israel of trying to shut down the current aid system and distribute it on its own terms. According to them, such a plan violates humanitarian principles and appears to be a strategy to use life-saving supplies as a means of pressure.
The UN Secretary-General and the Emergency Relief Coordinator have made it clear that they will not participate in any such plan.
Hamas responded by saying that “Israel’s new aid regime is being used as a form of political pressure and that Israel is responsible for the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
However, the Israeli cabinet has claimed that there is currently enough food in Gaza. But the UN and other aid agencies have warned that the severe impact of the blockade will worsen the crisis for Gaza’s more than 2.4 million people. .rasas
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