Israel expands Gaza war and moves to control aid zones

The Israeli security cabinet has on Monday unanimously approved an expansion of its military operations in the Gaza Strip, alongside a controversial plan to resume humanitarian aid delivery through foreign companies, sparking concern from the UN.

Haaretz reported that the cabinet also backed a preliminary plan to distribute aid through private international companies, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as the sole opponent. According to Israeli claims, the next phase of the military campaign is intended to pressure Hamas into greater flexibility, possibly paving the way for a new hostage release deal solely encompassing Israeli demands. 

A senior Israeli official speaking to Hebrew media outlet Walla identified the upcoming visit of US President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE — expected within ten days — as a potential turning point.

"Efforts will focus on bringing Hamas back into the framework proposed by Egypt and the plan of White House envoy Steve Witkoff, under which a number of hostages would be released in exchange for resuming the ceasefire," the official said.

Hamas has already agreed to a comprehensive ceasefire plan reached in January, but Israel unilaterally broke the terms of the deal in March, resuming its devastating war, which it continues to intensify.

On Friday, Channel 12 reported that the Netanyahu government and the Israeli military had agreed to widen operations, with tens of thousands of reservists being called up in preparation for a new stage of the war.

Yedioth Ahronoth described the expansion as occurring "by one degree", stopping short of a full ground invasion.

"Unless Hamas releases the hostages, we will significantly deepen the military operation," one Israeli official said. "The expansion of operations is not a full occupation of the Strip, but it is a major additional step".

Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, during a visit to the Shayetet 13 naval commando base, said:

"We will operate in additional areas and will destroy all infrastructure above and below ground". However, Halevi also issued a stark warning, cautioning that "in the full manoeuvre plan, we may not necessarily reach the hostages. You must take into account that we may lose them", adding, "you’ve set two goals for the war, and they contradict each other".

Despite the cabinet's approval, the aid plan remains in its early stages. The mechanism, developed in coordination with the US, would funnel humanitarian aid through an international fund and private companies. Aid would be distributed in zones established by Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Yet, Tel Aviv has not determined when it will permit aid to enter.

The UN has firmly rejected the proposal.

In a statement Sunday, the UN humanitarian affairs team in Gaza warned the plan "would violate fundamental humanitarian principles" and appears "designed to enhance control over life-sustaining materials as a pressure tactic within a military strategy".

The proposed mechanism would require UN approval and Israeli military conditions for checkpoint access. The UN warned civilians could be forced into military zones to collect rations, endangering both them and aid workers, while vulnerable populations might remain unreached.

"The plan is likely to contribute to further forced displacement," the UN said.

Since early March 2025, Israel has blocked nearly all humanitarian aid into Gaza. The resulting shortages of food, fuel, and medicine have pushed parts of the population into famine conditions, with international agencies warning of a deepening of an already devastating humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian territory.