Listeners:
Top listeners:
-
play_arrow
Israel Expands Gaza Offensive, Mobilizes Reservists, and Revamps Aid Plan
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Israel’s security cabinet has unanimously approved a major expansion of the military offensive in Gaza and a controversial overhaul of the humanitarian aid distribution system, Israeli officials confirmed Sunday.
While the decision sets the stage for a deepened campaign against Hamas, implementation is expected to be delayed until after U.S. President Donald Trump visits the region next week, during which diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire and hostage deal will continue.
On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began issuing call-up orders for tens of thousands of reservists to support the planned expansion. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the mobilization late last week, and it received formal backing from the security cabinet.
“We are increasing the pressure with the goal of returning our people and defeating Hamas,” said IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir in a statement to troops. The military campaign, which resumed on March 18, is expected to proceed in stages, with Israeli forces already in control of roughly 40% of Gaza.
Parallel to its military strategy, the cabinet also approved a new aid delivery mechanism designed to prevent Hamas from diverting supplies.
The plan, first reported by The Times of Israel, replaces bulk warehousing with direct distribution to individual families by international organizations and private contractors. Israeli troops will not handle the aid directly but will provide security around distribution zones.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir cast the lone vote against the aid plan, which Israeli officials say aims to reduce the militant group’s control over humanitarian goods. “The goal is to break Hamas’s hold, even over food,” one Israeli official said.
The United Nations and humanitarian groups have strongly condemned the plan. In a formal statement, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that Israel’s new strategy “contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles” and “appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic.”
“The design of the plan will mean large parts of Gaza, including the less mobile and most vulnerable people, will continue to go without supplies,” OCHA said. The UN and all humanitarian entities under the Humanitarian Country Team have unanimously refused to participate in the new aid scheme, arguing it risks forcing civilians into militarized zones and endangering aid workers.
Israel halted aid deliveries on March 2, accusing Hamas of diverting supplies during a six-week ceasefire. Officials said that, at the time, 650 aid trucks per day had entered Gaza, sufficient to meet the population’s basic needs—until Hamas allegedly interfered.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with over 52,500 Palestinians reported killed since Israel began its response to Hamas’s October 7 attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 kidnapped. Of the 59 hostages still believed to be in Gaza, fewer than half are thought to be alive.
Israeli officials say the expanded mobilization and new aid plan aim to balance military goals with humanitarian needs.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Iran with renewed military strikes if Tehran fails to restrain Hezbollah in Lebanon or keep the Strait of Hormuz open, even as Vice President J.D. Vance opened high-stakes talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel will maintain its security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary, even as U.S.-Iran talks opened in Switzerland and appeared to stall after fresh threats from President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned his nation that Russian forces may be preparing a major new offensive and urged Ukrainians to remain vigilant as fresh attacks across the country killed at least seven people, including civilians living near the front lines.
With the Middle East in turmoil, U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived Sunday in the peaceful Alpine nation of Switzerland to help hammer out a deal aimed at ending the U.S.-Israel war with Iran that has engulfed much of the region and sent shockwaves through the global economy.
Hungary’s president has warned that recently elected Prime Minister Péter Magyar is plotting a takeover of state institutions that would give him more power than his predecessor, Viktor Orbán.
A diplomatic dispute between Poland and Ukraine intensified Sunday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he was returning Poland’s highest state honor following a decision by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to strip him of the award.
A Dutch community remained in shock Saturday after a 13-year-old girl was detained following the discovery of her parents’ bodies in their home in the northern Netherlands.
WHO WE ARE
The Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs encapsulate the beauty, wisdom, and eternal truths found in the Bible, creating an immersive experience that resonates with believers and seekers alike.
CONTACT
- +1 908 280-4246
- Essex County, USA
- info@tnjrfm.com