Israel approves expansion of Gaza military operations

Israel's security cabinet has unanimously approved a plan to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip, though the move is not expected to be implemented immediately.

According to an Israeli official cited by Israeli media, the planned expansion is likely to be put into effect only after U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the region next week, Caliber.Az reports.

In the interim, Israeli authorities are expected to intensify efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas.

Alongside the military measures, the cabinet has also approved a revised strategy for the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. 

Under the new plan, aid deliveries would be overseen by international organisations and private security contractors, who would distribute food directly to individual families. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would not be directly involved in handing out aid, troops would provide security perimeters to ensure the safety of aid workers and to support the logistics effort, officials familiar with the matter said.

The decision to revamp the aid process comes amid growing international scrutiny over the humanitarian situation in the enclave. Implementation of the plan will depend on conditions on the ground, and no specific timeline has been given.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was the only cabinet member to vote against the aid plan.

Meanwhile, a drone strike was reported in Tel Aviv, though further details were not immediately available. Authorities have not confirmed whether it was related to ongoing hostilities or part of a separate incident.

By Aghakazim Guliyev