Kathmandu: The Israeli cabinet has unanimously approved a plan to expand its military operations in Gaza, aiming to regain control of the territory and evacuate civilians to the southern region. The decision, announced by a government official, comes as international concerns mount over the deepening humanitarian crisis caused by a complete blockade in place for the past two months.

According to the official, the approved plan includes renewed ground offensives, extensive air strikes, and a strategic relocation of Gaza’s northern residents to the south. Thousands of Israeli troops are being recalled to bolster the military campaign, which was intensified following the collapse of a previous ceasefire on March 5. Rescue workers reported that at least 19 people were killed in northern Gaza during Israeli strikes on Monday alone.

The cabinet, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and key ministers, endorsed the plan with the objective of defeating Hamas—the group governing Gaza—and securing the release of remaining hostages. The Israeli army chief announced that “tens of thousands” of troops would be mobilized in support of the expanded operation.

Since March 5, 2,436 Palestinians have been killed, bringing the total death toll in Gaza since the start of the war to 52,535, according to health authorities. The conflict began after a Hamas attack on October 7 last year, which killed 1,218 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Of those, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 confirmed dead.

Critics, including a hostage families’ advocacy group, have condemned the plan as “sacrificing hostages,” arguing that further military escalation could put their lives in greater danger.

In parallel to the military expansion, Prime Minister Netanyahu is promoting a controversial plan—originally proposed by former US President Donald Trump—to relocate Gazans to neighboring countries like Jordan or Egypt. This idea has been firmly rejected by these countries, other Arab states, and Gazans themselves.

The Israeli Defense Ministry has also proposed establishing a separate agency to facilitate voluntary emigration from Gaza.

On the humanitarian front, while the Israeli cabinet claims sufficient food supplies are available in Gaza, the United Nations and multiple aid organizations warn of famine-like conditions and escalating hardships for Gaza’s 2.4 million residents. These agencies have accused Israel of attempting to reshape the aid distribution system to bypass Hamas, a move they say violates international humanitarian principles.

The UN Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator have explicitly stated they will not support any alternative aid system that weaponizes humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, China, the EU, and Arab states have joined calls urging Israel to cease hostilities and allow unrestricted aid.

In response, Hamas denounced Israel’s proposed aid mechanism as a tool of political coercion, holding it responsible for the unfolding humanitarian disaster. However, Israel maintains that aid, if needed, will be allowed into Gaza through controlled channels that ensure it does not fall into Hamas’ hands.

As the war intensifies, the situation in Gaza continues to draw global concern, with fears that the expanded offensive may deepen the crisis and further destabilize the region.