Israel is one step away from approving a decision to expand the full-scale war in the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli media reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already agreed in principle to such a plan, writes A2.
The Israeli military is already sending out draft notices to tens of thousands of reservists. A major offensive could begin in the coming days. The aim is to increase pressure on Hamas in order to release more hostages.
Netanyahu's office said that, given the developments in Gaza and Syria, as well as the "intense diplomatic and security agenda," the head of government had postponed a visit to Azerbaijan planned for this week.
The news has sparked concern among the families of the 59 Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza. Most of the hostages were taken during Hamas' deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which triggered 18 months of Israeli bombing that has killed more than 50,000 people in Gaza.
In what it described as an "urgent and sincere" appeal, the Headquarters of the Forum for Hostages and Families of the Disappeared warned on Saturday that "any escalation of the fighting will put hostages - both living and dead - in immediate danger."
An escalation in attacks is likely to further worsen the already precarious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Aid organizations speak of catastrophic conditions. For about two months, Israel has stopped the distribution of aid to the isolated area, where about two million Palestinians live. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
