Israel Security Cabinet Plans Expanded Gaza Offensive and Aid Discussion

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convening the security cabinet to discuss expanding the military offensive in Gaza and determining the future of humanitarian aid amid growing international pressure and internal disagreements. The meeting comes after a Houthi missile from Yemen landed near Ben Gurion Airport, escalating regional tensions. Israel's military has begun mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists, aiming to intensify efforts to defeat Hamas and secure the release of remaining hostages. Aid distribution remains a contentious issue, with plans under consideration to shift delivery from U.N. agencies to private foreign firms in southern Gaza, as famine warnings intensify. While hardline politicians favor direct military involvement in aid distribution and a permanent occupation, the military leadership opposes distributing aid themselves but stresses the importance of preventing starvation. Netanyahu reaffirmed that the objectives are to return hostages and defeat Hamas, rejecting accusations that the war is politically motivated.