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 cutting through the territory’s center.
Israel renewed its Gaza offensive on March 18, claiming Hamas rejected a new US proposal to extend the ceasefire and release the 59 hostages still held captive. Hamas countered by accusing Israel of violating the original agreement reached in January.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel expressed horror at news of the expanded operation, urging the Israeli government to prioritize securing the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza.
In his statement, Katz also called on Gazans to act to remove Hamas and free the Israeli hostages, without specifying how this should be accomplished.
The humanitarian situation throughout Gaza has significantly deteriorated in recent weeks, with Israel blocking aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip since March 2 – the longest such blockage since the war began.
Last month, the UN announced a reduction in its Gaza operations, one day after Israeli forces killed eight Palestinian medics, six Civil Defence first responders, and a UN staff member in southern Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign against Hamas began following the unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 50,399 people have been killed in Gaza during the subsequent war.
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