Israel ramps up Gaza offensive, mobilizes thousands

    
• Israeli Security Cabinet: The Cabinet is set to discuss expanding the military operation in the Gaza Strip, with a meeting scheduled for Sunday, according to the dpa agency.
• Reservist mobilization: Draft notices have already been sent to tens of thousands of reservists, indicating preparations to intensify activities.
• Objective of the offensive: This new offensive aims to increase pressure on Hamas to release hostages abducted from Israel.

On Sunday, the Israeli Security Cabinet plans to discuss the expansion of the military operation in the Gaza Strip, according to the German agency dpa. Meanwhile, Israeli media reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already approved plans to increase pressure on Hamas.

The Israeli portal ynet reports that the offensive may begin in the coming days.

The intensification of military activities is a response to growing pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu, both domestically and internationally.

The goal of the new offensive is to increase pressure on the Islamist Hamas to release hostages abducted from Israeli territory after a terrorist attack in early October 2023. The Israeli army believes that 24 hostages remain in captivity and the bodies of 35 abductees are being held.

The conflict in the Gaza Strip has been ongoing since October 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251.

The International Committee of the Red Cross warns that the humanitarian aid system for the Gaza Strip is "on the brink of complete collapse" due to the Israeli blockade. Since the beginning of Israel's military operation, over 52,000 people, mostly civilians, women, and children, have been killed.