Israeli officials have greenlighted a plan to take control of and hold territory in Gaza, coinciding with the military’s mobilization of tens of thousands of reserve troops, according to reports. This decision came after a morning vote by the Israeli Cabinet. Currently, Israel manages roughly half of Gaza, and this plan intends to extend into the southern regions. Authorities indicated that the implementation will be gradual, with Israeli forces establishing a more significant presence in areas controlled by Hamas.
The initiative also seeks to hamper Hamas’s ability to distribute humanitarian aid, adding that Israel intends to enforce stricter regulations on the group in Gaza. There’s an accusation that Hamas prioritizes its operational capabilities over assistance. Additionally, the plan includes significant military action against Hamas’s positions, as noted by officials.
Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas fell apart in March, violence in Gaza has surged. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have pledged to escalate their operations against the militants in Yemen who fired missiles near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked on the need for retaliation following recent attacks, indicating his involvement in ongoing defense discussions. Reports suggest that both Israeli and U.S. missile defense strategies were a topic of deliberation.
Defense Minister Katz stressed, “Anyone who harms us will face retaliation sevenfold.”
In the wake of missile strikes that left about eight people injured—though none critically—Israel has yet to confirm specific retaliatory actions. Tensions are particularly high, as Netanyahu has implicated Iran as a backer of the Houthis, suggesting that Israel will respond “immediately and decisively.”
Over the weekend, the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on more than a hundred terrorist targets in Gaza, targeting cells, tunnels, and military facilities.
IDF troops operating in southern Gaza have reportedly found and dismantled various weapons caches and multiple terrorist infrastructure locations.
