Israeli Official Says Military Could Seize Entire Gaza in Expanded Assault
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- An Israeli official said the new plan for Israel’s scaled-up offensive in Gaza involves “the conquest of territory and remaining there.” The Israeli military will also forcibly displace the Palestinian population to southern Gaza.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that security cabinet minister Zeev Elkin said that rather than launching raids in specific areas and then leaving them as the military had done so far, the Israeli forces will now hold the territories they seize until Hamas is defeated or agrees to disarm and leave Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet approved on Sunday the expansion of the genocide in Gaza.
Netanyahu promised earlier in a video posted on Telegram that Israel will have “complete victory” in Gaza, adding that Israel will end its military operation “decisively”.
The Times of Israel also said the cabinet had approved plans for an expanded ground invasion, but said it would not begin until after US President Donald Trump’s upcoming travels to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which will take place from May 13 to 16.
The approval of the war expansion came after the Israeli military said it would mobilize tens of thousands of reservists to the enclave.
The cabinet reportedly discussed allowing the resumption of aid deliveries into Gaza under a new framework which was approved, but has not yet been implemented, according to the official.
Israel’s Kan 11 reported that a confrontation had broken out during Sunday’s meeting over the resumption of aid deliveries with two far-right members of the cabinet, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and settlements minister Orit Strook opposed to any resumption of aid and Israel’s military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir arguing Israel was obligated to facilitate them under international law.
Israel unilaterally violated the Gaza ceasefire in February after refusing to proceed to the second phase, which would have secured the release of all remaining captives. Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected offers from Hamas for their release.
Since March 2, Israel has closed Gaza’s main crossings, halting the flow of food, medical aid, and other humanitarian supplies. This blockade has caused a severe and unprecedented decline in living conditions, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war against Palestinians.
Israel also resumed its assault on Gaza on March 18, killing over 2,200 Palestinians and wounding more than 5,700—mostly children and women, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
