Israel is calling up tens of thousands of reservists for an expanded operation in Gaza, aiming to pressure Hamas to release hostages and defeat militants. The Israeli security cabinet greenlit the move, but reports suggest the expansion may wait until after President Donald Trump’s visit. Simultaneously, Israeli officials have approved a plan to seize the entire Gaza Strip indefinitely, potentially pushing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians south.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
This occurs amidst a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with a ban on aid leading to widespread hunger and UN accusations of Israel using aid as a pressure tactic, which Israel denies. The Gaza Media Office reports 3,500 children under five face imminent starvation.
Recent Casualties and Attacks
Recent Israeli airstrikes have killed over 400 Palestinians after hostage negotiations broke down, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 52,000 total deaths in Gaza, many women and children. In a related incident, a Houthi missile from Yemen landed near Tel Aviv’s Bengurion airport, causing disruption, while the Israeli military investigates a potential interceptor missile failure. A pro-Palestinian aid ship was also reportedly attacked by drones off Malta.
