Cabinet OKs Gaza Takeover, Payback for Airport Attack

May 5, 2025 10:45 am | News, Ticker, Virtual Jerusalem

Security Cabinet approves expanding Gaza offensive, call-up of reserve troops

Cabinet authorizes sweeping military campaign; IDF expands buffer zones amid escalating regional tensions. Massive retaliation against Houthi attack on Ben-Gurion airport also approved. Emergency call-up of tens of thousands of reservist to serve on all fronts. Escalation may also anticipate escalated action against Iran.

Israel’s security cabinet unanimously approved a comprehensive military operation to seize and maintain control over the entire Gaza Strip. This decision marks a significant escalation from targeted raids to a full-scale land campaign, with the objective of dismantling Hamas’s infrastructure and securing the release of hostages. Reuters

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “We are committed to achieving total victory over Hamas. This operation will continue until all objectives are met.”

The plan includes the mobilization of tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to support the intensified efforts. The operation is expected to proceed gradually over several months, initially targeting specific areas, while keeping pressure on Hamas to agree to disarm or vacate Gaza. Reuters

Currently, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) control approximately 50% of Gaza, having expanded their footprint significantly since the collapse of a ceasefire in March. The military has established extensive buffer zones along Gaza’s borders with Egypt and Israel, extending to major areas such as Rafah and north toward Khan Younis.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized, “Our forces will operate in additional areas and destroy all of Hamas’s infrastructure above and below ground.” The Independent

The cabinet’s approval of the Gaza operation reflects a shift towards a more aggressive military posture, aiming for what officials describe as “total victory.” This approach involves not only military engagement but also strategic control over Gaza’s territory to prevent Hamas from reestablishing its presence.

In parallel, tensions have escalated regionally. Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile that struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, injuring eight individuals. The missile, which bypassed Israel’s advanced missile defense systems, landed in a parking lot near Terminal 3.

Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed retaliation against the Houthis and their Iranian backers, stating, “We will respond at a time and place of our choosing.” WSJ

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting it was in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. They have also threatened to impose an “aerial blockade” on Israel by targeting its airports, a move that has already led several international airlines, including British Airways and Lufthansa, to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv.

As Israel prepares for this expanded military campaign, the situation remains volatile, with heightened tensions across multiple fronts. The government’s actions underscore its commitment to addressing security threats decisively, even as it navigates the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

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