![\"This](\"https:\/\/s.france24.com\/media\/display\/15ed1c9a-298a-11f0-af26-005056bf30b7\/w:1280\/p:16x9\/000_44F3724.jpg\")
Israel\u2019s<\/a> security cabinet approved a plan to expand military operations in Gaza, including the \u201cconquest\u201d of the Palestinian territory and a new push for its residents to leave, an official said Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The decision, made overnight, came hours after the military announced it was calling up tens of thousands of reservists to expand its offensive against Hamas<\/a> in the Gaza Strip<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe plan will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection,\u201d the official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a> \u201ccontinues to promote\u201d a proposal by US President Donald Trump<\/a> for the voluntary departure of Gazans to neighbouring countries such as Jordan or Egypt, the source added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n READ MORETrump floats plan to \u2018just clean out\u2019 Gaza and resettle Palestinians in Jordan and Egypt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The cabinet \u2013 which includes Netanyahu and several Israeli ministers \u2013\u201cunanimously approved\u201d the plan aimed at defeating Gaza\u2019s Palestinian Islamist rulers Hamas and securing the return of hostages held in Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The official source said the plan included \u201cpowerful strikes against Hamas\u201d, without specifying their nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Sunday, army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the military was calling up \u201ctens of thousands\u201d of reservists to expand its war in Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n READ MOREIsrael calls up tens of thousands of reservists ahead of Gaza offensive<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The cabinet also approved the \u201cpossibility of humanitarian distribution\u201d in Gaza, under full Israeli blockade since March 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It said there was \u201ccurrently enough food\u201d in the territory, although humanitarian organisations and UN agencies have warned of the blockade\u2019s dire consequences for Gaza\u2019s 2.4 million people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n READ MOREGazans face starvation as Israel\u2019s blockade enters third month<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The cabinet \u201capproved by a large majority the possibility of a humanitarian distribution, if necessary, to prevent Hamas from taking control of the supplies and to destroy its governance capabilities\u201d, the official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Israel has intensified aerial bombardments and expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip since resuming its offensive in the Palestinian territory on March 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Israel says the blockade and intensified bombardments aim to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages held in Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Militants in the territory still hold 58 hostages seized in Hamas\u2019s October 2023 attack on Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hamas attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Israel\u2019s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 52,535 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (FRANCE 24 with AFP)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MIDDLE EAST Israel\u2019s security cabinet has approved a military offensive that an official said would include the \u201cconquest of the Gaza Strip\u201d and moving the enclave\u2019s remaining population to the south \u201cfor their protection\u201d. The plan was unanimously approved by the ministers. Issued on: 05\/05\/2025 \u2013 10:40 By: FR ANCE 24 Israel\u2019s security… Continue reading