Israel To Seize Large Parts Of Gaza As Military Operation Expands
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced plans to expand military operations in Gaza, seizing "large areas" of the territory to establish what he described as "security zones." In Wednesday's statement, Katz indicated the expanded operation aims to "destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure," requiring a substantial evacuation of Palestinian residents. This announcement follows reports from local hospitals that at least 15 Palestinians were killed in overnight strikes in Gaza. Extensive Israeli air strikes and shelling have been reported along the Egyptian border, suggesting an imminent major Israeli ground offensive. Earlier this week, Israel's military ordered an estimated 140,000 people in Rafah to evacuate their homes and issued new evacuation orders for parts of northern Gaza. Throughout the war, Israel has already significantly expanded a buffer zone around Gaza's perimeter and seized control of a corridor […]