Israeli official says army could seize all of Gaza in expanded offensive

Israel's scaled-up offensive in Gaza, approved early on Monday, could go as far as seizing the entire enclave and it includes a new plan for aid distribution, though supplies will not be let in yet, according to an Israeli official.

Israel's Kan reported that security cabinet minister Zeev Elkin said that rather than launching raids in specific areas and then leaving them as the military had done so far, the Israeli forces will now hold the territories they seize until Hamas is defeated or agrees to disarm and leave Gaza.

Hamas has ruled out such calls. Israel has yet to present a clear vision for post-war Gaza as it faces international pressure to end a campaign that has forcefully displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million population and left it depending on aid supplies that have been dwindling rapidly since the blockade.