Israel's security cabinet has approved an extension of military operations to "conquer" the Gaza Strip .

Tens of thousands of reservists have already been mobilized for the offensive , an official source said. The decision comes as the United Nations continues to warn of the humanitarian catastrophe and risk of famine facing the 2.4 million Palestinians living in the territory, which has been under a total blockade by Israel since March 2.

However, the cabinet believes that there is “currently enough food” in the Gaza Strip and has delayed aid, agreeing to the “possibility of humanitarian distribution” only if this becomes “necessary.”

The plan, approved overnight, calls for Israel to maintain control over the Strip and support a project to organize the "voluntary departure" of its inhabitants . Last night, the Israeli army confirmed the recall of tens of thousands of reservists.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself released a new video in which he answered questions from his press office, referring to the decision not to establish a state commission of inquiry into October 7, saying: "We must do it, but at the end of the war. We are on the eve of a massive invasion of Gaza, according to the recommendations of the General Staff. Then we will examine it, and it will require a political examination, starting with the prime minister and the staff. I demand it. For this to happen, it must be a commission that is acceptable to the entire public."

Several Israeli media outlets believe that the campaign should not begin before US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, scheduled for mid-May. The declared goal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government remains to defeat the Islamist movement Hamas. The plan approved by the security cabinet includes "the conquest of the Gaza Strip and control of the seized territories." During the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said he wanted to "promote Trump's plan for the voluntary departure of Gazans."

After the news broke, the IDF clarified that the approved plan for the expansion of the military operation in Gaza is "broad but limited" and does not include the conquest of the areas where the hostages are being held. It is doing so to reassure the families of the kidnapped people, who protested today in front of the Knesset against the new plan .

"The new phase," the sources added, "will include above all the transition from incursions to the taking of control of portions of territory, reclamation above and below ground, and operations in tunnels, of which only a quarter have been neutralized so far."

Far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich instead declared, during a conference, that "Israel is finally preparing to conquer the Gaza Strip" and that "the word 'occupation' should no longer be feared" . "From the moment territorial control begins, there will be no withdrawal from the conquered areas, not even in exchange for the hostages. The only way to free them is to defeat Hamas. Any withdrawal would bring us back to next October 7".

(Online Union)

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