JERUSALEM: Israel’s security Cabinet approved the expansion of military operations in Gaza, including the “conquest” of the Palestinian territory, an official said on Monday (May 5), after the army called up tens of thousands of reservists for the offensive.
The plan, approved overnight, includes the holding of territories in the besieged Gaza Strip and comes alongside Israel’s promotion of Gaza’s residents to leave, the official said.
Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on Mar 18 amid deadlock over how to proceed with a two-month ceasefire that had largely halted the war with Hamas, which was sparked by the militants’ October 2023 attack.
Israel has since carried out intensive aerial bombardments and expanded ground operations across the Palestinian territory, with Gaza rescuers on Monday saying Israeli air strikes killed at least 19 people in the north.
The Israeli official said the plan for expanded operations “will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection”.
The majority of Gaza’s residents hail from the north of the territory, particularly Gaza City, and nearly all have been displaced at least once since the war began.
The Cabinet, which includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several ministers, “unanimously approved” the plan aimed at defeating Gaza’s rulers Hamas and securing the return of hostages held in the territory.
The official source said the plan included “powerful strikes against Hamas”, without specifying their nature.
On Sunday, army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the military was calling up “tens of thousands” of reservists to expand its offensive.
