Israel’s security cabinet has greenlit a significant escalation of military operations in Gaza, including a full-scale ground takeover of the Palestinian enclave, according to an official statement on Monday. The move follows the mobilisation of tens of thousands of army reservists and comes during continued heavy bombardment of the territory.
The newly approved strategy includes seizing and holding territory within Gaza, a shift from earlier phases of the war. It also reinforces efforts to encourage the relocation of Gaza’s residents further south, supposedly for their safety.
Israel reignited its bombardment of the tiny enclave on March 18 after breaking a ceasefire following a two-month lull in fighting during ceasefire talks, with no breakthrough reached. Since then, air raids and intensified ground combat have resumed, and on Monday, local rescuers reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 19 people in northern Gaza.
An Israeli official said the expanded campaign would involve the conquest and occupation of Gaza, and reiterated calls for civilians to move southward. The cabinet, which includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers, unanimously approved the initiative which they believe is aimed at crushing Hamas and securing the release of Israeli hostages.
Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, confirmed on Sunday the mass call-up of reservists to reinforce operations on the ground.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll continues to rise. The health ministry in Gaza reported that over 2,400 people have been killed since Israeli strikes resumed in March, with the total death toll now exceeding 52,500, majority of whom are civilian women and children, since the start of Israeli bombardment in October 2023. This recent conflict was triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack, which left 1,218 Israelis dead and saw 251 people taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. Israel claims 58 hostages remain in Gaza, 34 of whom are presumed dead.
Despite Israeli claims that military pressure is key to freeing the remaining captives, critics argue that such operations may endanger their lives. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum condemned the latest cabinet decision, accusing the government of “sacrificing” hostages in its military strategy and blaming both Netanyahu and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
At the same time, Netanyahu is reportedly continuing to push a plan initially floated by US President Donald Trump for the voluntary relocation of Gaza’s population to neighbouring states. The proposal, which envisions countries like Egypt and Jordan accepting displaced Gazans, has been roundly rejected by those governments and the wider international community.
The security cabinet also discussed the possible distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, claiming sufficient food supplies currently exist in the enclave. This contrasts with warnings from UN agencies, including the World Food Programme, which reported empty food reserves and the shutdown of all 25 supported bakeries due to shortages of flour and fuel.
According to Israeli officials, aid deliveries may be permitted in the future if deemed necessary to prevent Hamas from gaining control over supplies and to further undermine its administrative grip on Gaza.
It is pertinent to state that these aids being blocked by the Israeli authorities include baby food, alongside numerous other items that are of no military value to Hamas. Over the weekend, AFP photographs captured long queues at a local charity kitchen, where Gazans, including young children, waited desperately for food.
