Tel Aviv: On Monday, Israel approved a new plan to take full control of the Gaza Strip and maintain a military presence there for an indefinite period, according to two Israeli officials. If implemented, this move would significantly escalate Israel’s military operations in Gaza and is expected to trigger strong international backlash.
The Israeli Cabinet passed the plan in an early morning vote, just hours after the military announced the mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists. Officials stated that the strategy aims to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. However, it would also force hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to move further south, worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Since the collapse of the ceasefire with Hamas in mid-March, Israel has launched intense airstrikes across Gaza, resulting in hundreds of deaths and a growing control over nearly 50% of the territory. Prior to the truce breakdown, Israel had already blocked all humanitarian aid—including food, fuel, and water—triggering what many consider the worst humanitarian disaster in over a year and a half of conflict. The aid blockade has led to mass hunger, severe shortages, and widespread looting.