ALISHA RAHAMAN SARKAR

Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet has approved plans to seize the Gaza Strip and station troops there indefinitely – a move that would vastly expand Israel’s operations there and draw fierce international opposition.

- ALISHA RAHAMAN SARKAR

The move was voted through in the early hours of yesterday, two Israeli officials said. It would push hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, where people are already suffering from a two-month blockade of aid.

In a video message discussing the “next stage” of the war in Gaza, the Israeli prime minister confirmed that a new offensive will be an intensive military operation. “Population will be moved, for its own protection,” Mr Netanyahu said, adding that Israeli soldiers won’t go into Gaza, launch raids and then retreat. “The intention is the opposite of that.”

A defence official said the operation would not be launched until after US president Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East, suggesting the plan could be another measure by Israel to try to pressure Hamas into making concessions in ceasefire negotiations.

Army chief Eyal Zamir said Israel’s military was “increasing the pressure” to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza as the prime minister vowed to continue the war. “This week, we are sending tens of thousands of draft orders to our reserve personnel to intensify and expand our action in Gaza. We are increasing the pressure to return our people and defeat Hamas,” he said on Sunday.