“This week, we are sending tens of thousands of draft orders to our reserve personnel to intensify and expand our action in Gaza. We are increasing the pressure to return our people [held captive in Gaza] and defeat Hamas,” Zamir said, adding that the Israeli military would “operate in additional areas and destroy all of [Hamas’s] infrastructure above and below ground”.

The military chief made the announcement during a visit to the Atlit naval base.

The announcement came ahead of a security cabinet meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss an expansion of the war in Gaza, which has been ongoing since October 2023, and has decimated the Palestinian enclave.

A growing movement within Israel has called for an end to the war in Gaza, and an increasing number of reservists are ignoring call ups.

Two government officials told Reuters that the cabinet would also discuss the possible resumption of aid to Gaza, as humanitarian groups warn of increased starvation in the territory since Israel imposed a total blockade in March.

The move comes as Israel continues to face widespread global outrage over the conduct of its war in Gaza, which has shattered the territory’s infrastructure as well as its healthcare system, and displaced most of its 2.4 million residents at least once since the war began.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in an interview with Israeli Army Radio, said he wanted to see a “powerful” expansion of the war, but did not disclose details as to what new plans might entail.

“We need to increase the intensity and continue until we achieve total victory. We must win a total victory,” he said. He demanded that Israel bomb “the food and electricity supplies” in Gaza.