JERUSALEM – Israeli officials have announced plans to significantly expand military operations in Gaza in the coming weeks, aiming for what they described as the “conquest” of the territory and the establishment of a “sustained presence,” in a move that marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The decision, unanimously approved during a late-night security cabinet meeting on Sunday, represents the most far-reaching objective disclosed publicly by Israel since the conflict’s resurgence. Officials said the new campaign would include intense military actions, efforts to relocate Gaza’s population southward “for their protection,” and continued strikes intended to “deliver powerful blows against Hamas.”
The announcement comes amid mounting international concern and growing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where over 70% of the territory is either under Israeli military control or subject to evacuation orders. The UN and humanitarian groups have voiced alarm over the implications of a prolonged occupation.
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir confirmed that “tens of thousands” of reservists are being mobilized to support the expanded operation, freeing up regular conscript troops for renewed ground operations within Gaza.
The military escalation follows the collapse of a brief ceasefire in mid-March, with Israeli forces reinforcing a kilometre-deep buffer zone along Gaza’s perimeter and expanding their presence across both the northern and southern sectors.
In parallel, tensions have grown over the distribution of humanitarian aid. While Israeli ministers claim there is currently “sufficient food” within Gaza, the IDF is reportedly considering limited humanitarian aid operations aimed at weakening Hamas’s ability to control supplies. However, Lt Gen Zamir has pushed back against proposals for the military to assume direct responsibility for aid distribution.
Aid agencies describe conditions inside Gaza as increasingly dire. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Israeli authorities are pressuring agencies to reroute deliveries through Israeli-controlled aid hubs — a proposal the UN says violates humanitarian principles.
“This strategy appears designed to control the flow of life-sustaining supplies as a pressure tactic,” said a spokesperson for OCHA. “It endangers civilian lives and undermines the neutrality and safety of humanitarian operations.”
Hamas condemned the move as “political blackmail,” holding Israel accountable for the humanitarian crisis. Civilian casualties continue to mount, with Israeli airstrikes overnight reportedly killing at least 17 people, including eight women and children, in the northern areas of Gaza.
The ongoing war stems from the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and led to the capture of 58 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza. In response, Israel launched a massive retaliatory offensive that has since resulted in at least 52,535 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry, with the majority identified as civilians.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government continues to face pressure both domestically and internationally. A coalition of families of the remaining hostages has criticized the new military push, warning that it “puts every hostage at grave risk” and increases the danger for Israeli soldiers.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition — which has long advocated for the reoccupation and potential resettlement of Gaza — has expressed strong support for the plan. His political survival is seen as increasingly dependent on these nationalist factions.
In a controversial development, Israeli officials revealed Netanyahu is still pursuing a proposal originally advanced by former U.S. President Donald Trump to permanently relocate large numbers of Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries such as Egypt or Jordan, a suggestion widely condemned by the international community.
Trump, expected to visit Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar later this month, may push for a new ceasefire deal amid regional diplomatic efforts. His visit could play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of the conflict and determining whether a path to de-escalation remains viable.
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