Israel’s security cabinet has approved plans to widen its military campaign in the Gaza Strip and has started the process of enlisting tens of thousands of reserve soldiers, reports public broadcaster Kan.
On Sunday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted Israel’s main international hub, Ben Gurion Airport, with a missile attack. This occurred just hours before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security cabinet meeting to deliberate on “the next stage” of the Gaza conflict, as stated in a video message he shared on X Sunday.
The Israeli military announced that it will deploy reservists to “intensify and expand” operations against Hamas. This move aims to increase pressure on the group to release the hostages still held since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.
“We are increasing the pressure with the aim of returning our men and defeating Hamas,” Israeli army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said in a statement Sunday, adding that the troops would “operate in additional areas and destroy all infrastructure above and below the ground.”
The besieged enclave is under its longest blockade of humanitarian aid since the war began, as Israel’s total ban on the entry of all goods, including food, fuel and medical supplies enters its third month.
More than 51,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive, including thousands of women and children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Some 1,200 people were killed during the militant group’s attacks in southern Israel, with around 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli counts, marking a major escalation in a decadeslong conflict.
