Israel cabinet votes to expand offensive

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet voted to scale up the offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza to the point of seizing the entire enclave and holding its territories, an Israeli official said yesterday.

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A report by Israel's public broadcaster Kan, citing officials with knowledge of the details, said the new plan was gradual and would take months, with forces focusing first on one area of the battered enclave.

Such a timeline could leave the door open for a ceasefire and hostage release deal talks ahead of a visit by United States President Donald Trump to the region next week, according to security cabinet minister Zeev Elkin.

"There is still a window of opportunity until President Trump concludes his visit to the Middle East, if Hamas understands we are serious," Mr Elkin told Kan yesterday.