Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has approved the military's plan to conquer Gaza City and authorised the call-up of about 60,000 reservists to carry it out, his ministry confirms, reports Al Jazeera on Wednesday.
This comes as Hamas has informed mediators of their approval of the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, involving a 60-day truce in the fighting with a concrete framework to end the war.
However, Israel has not signalled, in any shape or form, a willingness to end their war in Gaza.
Netanyahu's only comment on the matter was that he was following the reports that Hamas had agreed to the framework on the table, and that they were under "atomic" pressure.
Relatives of Israelis held in Gaza have condemned the government's approval of a new military operation, warning it could endanger the lives of those still captive and is a "stab in the hearts of the families and the public in Israel".
A spokesperson for The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum said: "The families of the abductees are once again demanding an urgent meeting this morning with the minister of defence and the chief of staff to show them how they guarantee that operation 'Gideon's Chariots B' does not result in the murder of the six abductees."
The group accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of ignoring a deal to secure their release and a ceasefire. "Approving plans for the occupation of Gaza, while there is a deal on the table for Netanyahu's approval, is the essence of the trapdoor in its making and a stab in the hearts of the families and the public in Israel.
"Everyone knows that the conditions are ripe for a deal and it is in your [Netanyahu's] hands."
Luciano Zaccara, a research professor at Qatar University, has told Al Jazeera that Israel's current strategy in Gaza is in line with longstanding plans for full occupation and the removal of Palestinians from the territory.
"This is in line with what Israel has been discussing for a long time – that there will not be a Palestinian state in Gaza, and that they want to blockade as much as possible," he said.
Zaccara noted that while ceasefire talks are ongoing, Israel's wider objectives remain unchanged. "This plan has been on the table for a long time. It looks like there's no change in that, even though there are now discussions about a ceasefire.
"Settlements have already begun to be implemented as part of a wider plan, not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank." According to Zaccara, these plans have the total support of the Israeli government.
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