Israeli ministers have endorsed a plan to capture all of Gaza and maintain a military presence there indefinitely, two officials confirmed.
The move, approved by Israel’s security cabinet, includes the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the south and marks a major escalation in the ongoing conflict.
The war resumed in mid-March after an eight-week truce collapsed. Israel has since blocked aid to the territory, triggering a worsening humanitarian crisis, and renewed strikes have killed over 2,600 people in recent weeks.
The overall death toll in Gaza has surpassed 52,000, mostly civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities. Over 90 per cent of Gaza’s population has been displaced.
Military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of reservists are being called up and Israel will “operate in additional areas” of Gaza.
The Israeli government has vowed not to end the war until Hamas is defeated, while Hamas demands a ceasefire deal.
Source: 9News
