It comes as the United Nations and aid organisations have repeatedly warned of the humanitarian catastrophe on the ground, with famine again looming after more than two months of a total Israeli blockade.
Israel resumed major operations across Gaza on March 18 amid deadlock over how to proceed with a two-month ceasefire that had largely halted the war with Hamas, which was sparked by the militants' October 2023 attack.
The Israeli official said the plan for expanded operations “will include, among other things, the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories, moving the Gaza population south for their protection”.
The cabinet, which includes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several ministers, “unanimously approved” the plan aimed at defeating Gaza's rulers Hamas and securing the return of hostages held in the territory.
‘Sacrificing' hostages
Israeli media reported that the plan would not be implemented before US President Donald Trump's visit to the region next week.
Hamas's attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Israel says its renewed offensive is aimed at forcing Hamas to free its remaining captives, although critics charge that it puts them in mortal danger.
Alongside the cabinet-approved plan for the expansion of the war, Prime Minister Netanyahu “continues to promote” a proposal by US President Donald Trump for the voluntary departure of Gazans to neighbouring countries such as Jordan or Egypt, the official said.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in February that a special agency would be established for the “voluntary departure” of Gazans.
Israel's security cabinet also approved overnight the “possibility of humanitarian distribution, if necessary” in Gaza, “to prevent Hamas from taking control of the supplies and to destroy its governance capabilities”.
A grouping of UN entities and NGOs in the Palestinian territory accused Israel of seeking to “shut down the existing aid distribution system... and have us agree to deliver supplies through Israeli hubs under conditions set by the Israeli military”.
“The UN Secretary-General and the Emergency Relief Coordinator have made clear that we will not participate in any scheme”, it added.
Israel's cabinet said there was “currently enough food” in Gaza, although humanitarian organisations and UN agencies have warned of the blockade's dire consequences for Gaza's 2.4 million people.
Crowds of desperate Gazans were seen piling up at a charity kitchen in the territory at the weekend, in photos published by AFP.
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