ISRAEL is preparing to “conquer” all of Gaza in a fresh offensive on the strip, officials say.
It comes as Tel Aviv is also fighting off rocket attacks by the Houthis – who are trying to enforce an aerial blockade on their sworn enemies.
The Israeli cabinet has called up tens of thousands of soldiers as it readies itself to seize and hold the territory in a brutal new attack.
The move would vastly expand Israel’s operations across the 25-mile long area and likely bring fierce international opposition inside Israel.
Officials said the new plan was meant to help Israel achieve its war aims of defeating Hamas and freeing hostages held in Gaza.
It also would push hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, what would likely exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the Army Chief, stated: “This week, we are distributing tens of thousands of orders to our reservists to strengthen and broaden our operations in Gaza.”
Israel has killed hundreds as it has unleashed a bombardment on Gaza since a ceasefire with Hamas collapsed in mid-March.
It currently controls about half of the territory and is blocking humanitarian aid, like food and water, from reaching civilians.
Israel alleges that Hamas takes and then distributes the aid as a way to strengthen its rule in the territory.
More than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed by in 19 months of war, following the deadly October 7 terror attack.
The announcement comes after the Houthi terror group in Yemen hit Ben Gurion airport with a missile.
They have now threatened to conduct additional strikes and have cautioned airlines to cancel their flights to Israeli airports as they aim to establish an aerial blockade.
The missile gouged a wide crater in the ground near an airport parking lot, wounding six people and forcing airlines to suspend flights.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a tough response against the Houthis, as well as its main backer Iran, over the attack.
In a video published on Telegram, Netanyahu said Israel had “acted against” the Houthis in the past and “will act in the future”.
“It will not happen in one bang, but there will be many bangs,” he added, without elaborating.
Officials said Israel was in touch with several countries about President Donald Trump’s plan to take over Gaza and relocate its population.
Israel has termed the removal “voluntary emigration”, but the plan has sparked condemnations from Israel’s allies in Europe and the Arab world.
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