Israel Approves Expanded Military Offensive on Gaza Amid Mounting International Pressure
Security Cabinet backs broader assault on Hamas and introduces new Gaza aid plan as Netanyahu signals escalation following Houthi missile incident.
Watan-Israel’s public broadcaster (Kan Radio) reported on Monday, citing informed sources, that the Israeli Security Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has approved a gradual expansion of the military offensive against the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza.
This decision came a day after Israeli army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi announced that the military had already begun issuing tens of thousands of reserve call-up orders to escalate the Gaza campaign.
In a video message posted Sunday on X, just hours after part of a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi group landed near Israel’s main Ben Gurion Airport, Netanyahu stated he would convene the Security Cabinet to discuss the “next phase” of the war in Gaza.
According to a military-issued statement, Halevi told Israeli troops: “We are increasing pressure with the goal of recovering our hostages and defeating Hamas.”
Israel resumed ground operations in Gaza in March following the collapse of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that had paused fighting for two months.
On Monday, the Israeli news site Ynet reported that the Security Cabinet also approved a new plan to distribute aid in Gaza, though the timing for allowing supplies into the territory remains unclear.
Israel already controls nearly one-third of Gaza, but it faces growing international pressure to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid, which has been largely blocked since March.
Israel defends the blockade by accusing Hamas of seizing aid meant for civilians and redirecting it to its fighters or selling it—a claim the group denies.
Israel launched its war campaign in response to Hamas’ attack on southern Israeli settlements on October 7, 2023, which, according to Israeli figures, resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages—the deadliest day in Israeli history.
Palestinian health authorities report that the Israeli offensive has so far killed over 52,000 Palestinians and devastated Gaza, leaving its 2.3 million residents dependent on dwindling aid supplies amid the blockade.
