Israel approves plans to intensify Gaza operations, official says

Israel already controls roughly half of Gaza’s territory. File picture: Ariel Schalit/AP

Israeli ministers have agreed to ramp up the war against Hamas in Gaza, an official said, with plans to capture more territory in the beleaguered Palestinian enclave and call up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.

The plan, which the official said would be gradual, could mark a significant escalation in the fighting in Gaza, which resumed in mid-March after Israel and Hamas failed to agree on an extension to an eight-week truce.