Israel is preparing to expand its offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to various media reports citing Israeli officials. Both airstrikes and ground operations have intensified over the weekend, while negotiations between Israel and Hamas are taking place in Qatar. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided to allow a limited amount of food aid into Gaza after months of blockade. However, this decision has caused unrest within his own government. ‘Especially the right-wing faction is furious that aid is being allowed in again,’ says Israel correspondent Ralph Dekkers.
The violence has been escalating for days, primarily through airstrikes, Dekkers notes. ‘Last night, there were more attacks. Sources in Gaza report around a hundred casualties.’
This appears to be a prelude to a larger ground offensive, the correspondent explains. In some areas, it has already begun, though it remains limited for now, likely to avoid derailing the negotiations in Qatar. ‘But the pressure on Hamas is being significantly increased.’