TEL AVIV — Israel will call up several brigades, totaling thousands of reservists, an Israeli military official said Sunday, as the country considers plans to expand operations in the Gaza Strip.

The war began after Hamas led a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 250 taken back to Gaza as hostages. In the aftermath, Israeli leaders vowed to destroy Hamas in Gaza and free all of the captives held there.

The Israeli military has begun calling up tens of thousands of reservists to "intensify and expand" its operations in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was "increasing the pressure" with the aim of returning hostages held in Gaza and defeating Hamas militants.

Aid agencies say the plan runs counter to humanitarian principles, is logistically unworkable and could put Gazans and workers at risk.

The United States, Israel and representatives of a new international foundation are close to an agreement on how to resume the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza without it being controlled by Hamas,

United States and Israeli officials are discussing a mechanism to deliver aid to Gaza that bypasses Hamas, an Israeli source familiar with the matter and a State Department official told CNN. The official said an announcement could be made “in the coming days.