Israeli government has approved an escalation of military operations in Gaza, reports Kan

The security cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sanctioned a phased escalation of military actions against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, as reported by Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Monday, citing informed sources.

The Israeli Defense Forces have commenced issuing numerous call-up orders for reserve personnel, aiming to intensify the Gaza operation, stated army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir in a Sunday announcement.

In a video message shared on X shortly after a missile from the Iranian-aligned Houthi militia landed near Israel’s primary airport, Ben Gurion, Netanyahu indicated that he was gathering the security cabinet to deliberate on ‘the next phase’ of the conflict in Gaza. ‘We are amplifying the pressure with the objective of securing the release of our hostages and defeating Hamas,’

Zamir conveyed to the troops, as per the army’s statement. Israel resumed ground operations in Gaza in March following the breakdown of a U.S.-backed ceasefire that had paused hostilities for two months.

The security cabinet also ratified a new strategy for aid distribution in Gaza, according to Israel’s Ynet news site on Monday, although the timeline for delivering supplies to the region remains uncertain.

Israel currently controls approximately one-third of Gaza’s land and is facing increasing international calls to lift the aid blockade imposed in March. The Israeli government has justified the blockade by alleging that Hamas has appropriated humanitarian aid meant for civilians for its own combatants or sold it, accusations that Hamas has refuted.

Israel initiated its military campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 fatalities, according to Israeli figures, and led to 251 individuals being taken hostage, marking the deadliest day in Israel’s history. The ongoing campaign has resulted in over 52,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by local health officials, and has devastated the Gaza Strip, leaving its 2.3 million residents reliant on rapidly diminishing aid supplies due to the blockade.