NEW YORK, October 27. /TASS/. Israel made a decision to expand operation in the Gaza Strip after talks on the release of hostages reached a deadlock, the Axios portal reported on Friday.

Axios said citing two Israeli officials that the decision to expand operations in Gaza was made by the Israeli military cabinet on Thursday evening after the hostage release negotiations reached a dead end.

Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.

Spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces Daniel Hagari said earlier that Israel’s ground forces are expanding operations in Gaza.