Israel approves plans to intensify Gaza offensive, official confirms

Tel Aviv: Israeli Cabinet ministers have approved a plan to intensify military operations in the Gaza Strip, according to an Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity due to government regulations. The decision, approved early Monday by the security Cabinet, a powerful body of top ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, outlines a gradual expansion of military efforts aimed at seizing more territory within the enclave, where Israel already holds control over nearly half the land.

The development comes a day after Israel announced the mobilisation of tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to support the expanded operations. According to Israeli authorities, the renewed military pressure is intended to push Hamas into accepting ceasefire terms more favourable to Israel.

An earlier ceasefire agreement, which had held for eight weeks, collapsed in March when Israel resumed its airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, including many women and children. In the lead-up to the breakdown of the truce, Israel had captured significant portions of territory and completely halted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, steps it claimed were necessary to compel Hamas to show greater flexibility in negotiations.

The blockade on aid has dramatically worsened the humanitarian situation in Gaza, home to 2.3 million people. The territory is now facing what observers describe as the gravest humanitarian crisis of the war. Hunger is widespread, and severe shortages of basic necessities have triggered looting and unrest.

With PTI inputs