Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.

Israel to Expand Ground Operation in Gaza After Trump's Middle East Trip, Reports Say

09:07, 5 May 2025

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On May 3, Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported that the IDF was preparing to mobilize tens of thousands of reservists in the next two days in order to expand the ground operation in the Gaza Strip and increase military pressure on Palestinian movement Hamas amid another impasse in negotiations to free Israeli hostages.

Sputnik

Israel's Security Cabinet has unanimously approved plans by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to expand its ground operation in the Gaza Strip, which will take place after US President Donald Trump's trip to the Middle East, US journalist Barak Ravid reported, citing sources.

Trump completes his trip to the Middle East in two weeks, and until then, efforts to achieve a truce will continue, the journalist said on X.

Meanwhile, at least 19 people were killed in Israel's strikes on residential areas in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday morning, Al Jazeera reported, citing Palestinian medical sources.