Israel’s security cabinet voted unanimously Sunday night to intensify military operations in Gaza.
Presented to cabinet members by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the plan outlines a multi-phase approach. Israeli forces will seize control of additional territory throughout Gaza, relocate civilian populations southward to create clearer combat zones, target remaining Hamas infrastructure both above and below ground, and implement measures to prevent the Iranian-backed terrorist group from hijacking aid shipments.
“We are increasing the pressure with the goal of returning our people and defeating Hamas,” Zamir said.
On Saturday the IDF began issuing tens of thousands of call-up orders for reserve forces, many of whom have been deployed multiple times since the war broke out nearly twenty months ago.
During the high-level meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Zamir assured cabinet members that this expanded military campaign would achieve both defeating Hamas and securing the release of the remaining hostages. Netanyahu emphasized that increased military pressure remains the most effective strategy to force Hamas to release the captives.
The Hostage Families Forum immediately condemned the cabinet’s decisions, arguing that it would jeopardize the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
“The plan approved by the cabinet deserves to be called the ‘Smotrich-Netanyahu Plan’ – a plan to abandon the hostages and forsake national and security resilience,” the forum stated in a blistering response. “This morning, the government admits that it is choosing territory over hostages, contrary to the will of over 70% of the public.”
Israel’s expanded offensive follows the breakdown of mediated negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release. No Israeli captives have been freed since March 18, when Israel resumed ground operations after a two-month pause in fighting. Of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza, intelligence sources believe 24 remain alive.
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