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Israel has decided to expand its operation in the Gaza Strip, partly due to the stalemate in hostage deal negotiations. Senior ministers demanded immediate presentation of plans to the cabinet for approving expanded activities in Gaza, but this was delayed due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz's desire to exhaust negotiations while a possibility for a hostage deal remains. A security official told ynet that 'Israel is preparing for an operation expansion and significant mobilization of reserve forces.'