GAZA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Tuesday condemned Israel's recent cabinet approval to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip, arguing that the decision signals a blatant disregard for the lives of Israeli hostages there.

In a press statement, Hamas said that Israel's actions suggest it is willing to sacrifice hostages in favor of escalating "military aggression."

Hamas described the Israeli government's move as "explicitly sacrificing the hostages" in order to pursue a broader military campaign.

It criticized the decision as part of a "failed strategy" that has been in place for the past 18 months without achieving its intended objectives.

"We are the owners of this land and will remain on it despite the continuous aggression," Hamas said.

The group called on Arab and Islamic nations, as well as the international community, to take immediate action to halt the "crimes" and ensure that Israeli leaders are held accountable under international law for their actions.

This condemnation follows the Israeli Security Cabinet's authorization on Sunday to expand military operations in Gaza, as reported by Israeli media.

The decision to intensify the offensive comes as Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir confirmed the mobilization of tens of thousands of reservist soldiers to bolster the military campaign.

During a visit to a naval commando unit headquarters, Zamir stated that the goal of the expanded operations was to increase military pressure on Hamas.

He emphasized that the operations aim to secure the release of Israeli hostages and dismantle Hamas' infrastructure.

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich further declared on Monday that Israeli forces would not withdraw from areas they currently control in Gaza, even if a hostage release agreement were reached.

Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem, Smotrich stated, "Once the maneuver begins -- there will be no withdrawal from the territories we've captured, not even in exchange for hostages."

In response, Hamas ruled out entering any new ceasefire or prisoner exchange negotiations with Israel, accusing Israel of escalating a "starvation campaign" against civilians in Gaza.

A senior Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Xinhua on Tuesday that Israel is exerting maximum pressure on Hamas to accept its controversial proposal for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza, only to resume hostilities later.

"We will never accept such an agreement," the official said.

"We have officially conveyed our rejection to the mediators and made it clear that we will not engage in any negotiations unless there are guarantees that the war will come to a complete end," the official added.

The official further accused Israel of employing starvation as a weapon to force Hamas into concessions. "This form of collective punishment against Gaza's population will not serve Israel's objectives," he said.

Since March 2, Israel has closed all crossings into the Gaza Strip, which has contributed to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, according to local authorities.

The blockade has compounded the suffering of Gaza's civilian population, making it more difficult for aid to reach those in need.

Israeli forces resumed large-scale military operations in Gaza on March 18, following the end of a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in January. Efforts to renew or expand the ceasefire have failed.

At least 2,507 Palestinians had been killed and 6,711 others injured since Israel renewed its intensive strikes, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 52,615, and injuries to 118,752, Gaza-based health authorities said on Tuesday. ■