Israel summons reserve troops, approves plan to capture all of Gaza

Israeli officials have approved a controversial plan to capture all of Gaza and hold it indefinitely, according to a report by the Associated Press. The decision came just hours after the Israeli military announced the mobilization of tens of thousands of reserve troops.

The Israeli Cabinet ministers voted in favor of the plan in an early morning session on Monday. Currently, Israel controls approximately 50% of Gaza, and the new plan would involve expanding Israeli forces into the southern region. The implementation of the plan is expected to be gradual, with a focus on rooting out Hamas control over the territories.

One key aspect of the plan is to prevent Hamas from distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza. Israeli officials claim that allowing Hamas to control aid strengthens the group’s rule in the region, accusing them of keeping aid for themselves to enhance their capabilities. The plan also includes conducting powerful strikes against Hamas targets.

Tensions in Gaza have escalated since the collapse of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in March. In response to a missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have vowed to increase operations against the Houthis in Yemen, a group backed by Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised retaliation for the missile attack and participated in defense meetings following the incident. He emphasized that responsibility for the strike lies with Tehran, and Israel will respond at a time and place of their choosing.

Over the weekend, the Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes on over 100 terror targets in Gaza, targeting terrorist cells, tunnels, and other military structures. IDF troops in southern Gaza also discovered weapons caches, dismantled terrorist infrastructure sites, and eliminated several terrorists.

Despite the heightened tensions, at least eight people were reported injured in the missile strike, with no life-threatening injuries. Israel has not confirmed any specific military retaliation at this time.

The situation remains fluid, and the IDF continues to monitor developments in the region. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. For tips, contact Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter at @Hagstrom_Anders.