On Monday, Israel approved a controversial plan to capture the entire Gaza Strip, aimed at defeating Hamas and freeing hostages. This plan would involve deploying tens of thousands of reserve soldiers and intensifying military operations after the collapse of a ceasefire in mid-March. Control of nearly half of Gaza is currently held by Israel, and the new plan is expected to result in severe humanitarian consequences as it displaces hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and hinders the distribution of aid. International opposition is anticipated as tensions escalate.
The new plan, which the officials said was meant to help Israel achieve its war aims of defeating Hamas and freeing hostages held in Gaza, also would push hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, what would likely exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed in mid-March, Israel has unleashed fierce strikes on the territory that have killed hundreds. It has captured swathes of territory and now controls roughly 50% of Gaza.
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