Israel’s military-political cabinet approved plans on Monday night to expand its operation in the Gaza Strip, which include the possibility of occupying the Palestinian enclave.
“The military-political cabinet unanimously approved the operational plan presented by the Chief of General Staff, for the complete elimination of the Palestinian Hamas movement in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages from captivity,” Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, wrote on his Telegram channel.
According to the adviser, the plan includes the occupation of the Gaza Strip, depriving Hamas of access to humanitarian aid, and military strikes on the movement’s infrastructure and positions.
The Israeli cabinet approved the possibility of introducing humanitarian distribution of international aid in the Gaza Strip, if necessary.
On April 17, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya announced his readiness for immediate negotiations with the Israeli side on a ceasefire and the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. At the same time, he called Tel Aviv’s demands for the disarmament of radicals unfeasible.
Netanyahu said on April 19 that his country would not end the war in the Gaza Strip until Hamas was destroyed and all hostages were returned. According to him, the radical movement demands an end to the war, the preservation of its power and the reconstruction of Gaza with the help of capital that will allow it to rearm and prepare new attacks on Israelis.
New casualties in Gaza
Meanwhile, at least 19 people were killed in new Israeli airstrikes on various areas of the Gaza Strip on Monday.
According to reports, the bodies of 15 people were pulled from the rubble of three destroyed apartments in the Al-Rumuz residential complex in the Al-Qara neighborhood of Gaza City. At least 10 people were wounded in the same strike.
In addition, four more people were killed and five wounded in an attack on the al-Attar family home in the al-Sultan neighbourhood of Beit Lahia in the north of the enclave.
Since March 2025, Israel has stopped humanitarian aid to Gaza, leading to a sharp deterioration in the food and medical situation. International human rights organisations have condemned the use of hunger as a means of pressure and called for the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid.
