Days before U.S. President Donald Trump is to visit the Middle East, Israel is sending soldiers to the border with Gaza.

A senior Israeli defence official said on Monday there was a "window of opportunity" for a hostage deal in Gaza during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the region next week but that otherwise Israel would begin its new operation in the enclave.

Ahead of a trip to the Middle East, President Trump has disengaged from the conflict, analysts said, but must now decide how to respond.

The United Nations and its partners have condemned the proposals by Israel, which has been barring deliveries of food and medicine for months.

Israel’s Cabinet has decided to seize Gaza for an unspecified amount of time. It's a move that could see Israel reestablish control over a territory it vacated two decades ago.

Israel’s security cabinet voted to intensify military operations in Gaza and call up of tens of thousands of extra reservists, while also deciding on a means of distributing aid in the Palestinian territory.