The Israel Defense Forces said it is preparing to expand operations in Gaza. Meanwhile, the US is developing a plan to move 1 million Palestinians to Libya, according to a US media report. DW has more. Israel expands operations in Gaza It comes as the Council of Europe and the UN human rights chief criticize Israel's tactics in Gaza US develops a plan to move 1 million Palestinians to Libya, according to a US media report Here is a roundup of developments in Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East region on Saturday, May 17: UN aid chief says time should not be wasted on US-backed Gaza aid plan Tom Fletcher, the United Nations' aid chief, said that time should not be wasted on an alternative US-backed proposal to deliver assistance to Gaza. "To those proposing an alternative modality for aid distribution, let's not waste time. We already have a plan," he said in a statement as Israel blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza for the 75th consecutive day. He also said that the UN has a proven plan and 160,000 pallets of relief supplies ready to enter the Palestinian enclave. "We have thousands of trucks of food at the border. Let us in. Let us work," he wrote on X. Seven European countries appeal to Israel to lift Gaza blockade Seven European countries called on Israel to "reverse its current policy" and "immediately" lift its aid blockade of the Gaza Strip. In a joint statement, the leaders of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, and Norway said they would not remain silent in the face of "the man-made humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes in Gaza." "More than 50.000 men, women, and children have lost their lives. Many more could starve to death in the coming days and weeks unless immediate action is taken," the leaders warned. They also called on the government of Israel "to refrain from further military operations" and rejected any plans of "forced displacement or the expulsion of the Palestinian people." The letter was released as Israel ramps up its offensive in Gaza. US developing plan to move 1 million Palestinians to Libya, report says The Trump administration is developing a plan to permanently resettle up to one million Palestinians from Gaza in Libya, according to five sources who spoke with US broadcaster NBC News. The plan is being considered seriously enough that the administration has discussed it with Libya’s leadership. In exchange for resettling Palestinians, the administration would release billions of dollars of frozen US funds to Libya, the sources say. According to the NBC sources, no final agreement has been reached and Israel has been kept informed of the administration’s discussions. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has considered Libya as a potential destination for immigrants whom it wants to deport from the U.S. However, plans to send one group of immigrants to Libya this month were stalled by a federal judge. Israel moving to intensify Gaza campaign The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it is moving towards a new stage of operations in the Gaza Strip. "The IDF has begun conducting extensive strikes and mobilizing troops to achieve operational control in the areas of Gaza, over the past day," the military wrote in a social media post. According to the IDF, this is part of the preparations to expand operations and fulfill the objectives of the war, including releasing Israeli hostages in Gaza and dismantling Hamas. Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is deemed a terrorist organization not only by Israel, but also the US, Germany and several other countries. Hamas carried out the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week vowed to continue Gaza operations "with full force." According to Israeli media, this would occur after the conclusion of US President Donald Trump's visit to the region if a new Gaza agreement had not been reached by that time. Trump has since concluded his multi-day trip to the Gulf region, yet a new Gaza deal remains elusive. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, almost 53,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023. Although Israel and the US has criticized Gaza health figures, the UN and other international bodies view them as broadly reliable. International organizations have criticized Israel's operations in Gaza and blocking of aid, with the Council of Europe on Friday saying that Gaza is suffering from "deliberate starvation." UN rights chief Volker Türk has also criticized Israel's attacks on Gaza as "ethnic cleansing." Welcome to our coverage The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it is "conducting extensive strikes" and "mobilizing troops" in the Gaza Strip. This announcement follows an intense bombing campaign by Israel. On Friday, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that at least 100 people had been killed in the northern Gaza Strip since Thursday evening following multiple Israeli airstrikes. This blog will bring you the latest news, analysis and DW on-the-ground reporting as it pertains to the Middle East region. Stay tuned for more.