Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that the military plans to expand its operations in Gaza, aiming to seize control over extensive regions of the territory.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Katz elaborated that the expanded military efforts are intended to “eliminate and clear the region of terrorists and their infrastructure.” He further indicated that these controlled areas would be integrated into Israeli security zones.
This move, according to Katz, will necessitate a significant evacuation of Palestinians and he urged the population to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of Israeli hostages, presenting this as the sole path to ending the conflict.
Reports suggest that the Israeli military has already initiated ground operations in Rafah during the overnight hours.
This announcement follows Katz’s previous warning from last week, indicating that the military would soon escalate its operations with “full force” in additional parts of Gaza.
Israel commenced its recent Gaza operation on 18 March, attributing the start to Hamas’s alleged rejection of a new US offer to extend the ceasefire and secure the freedom of the 59 hostages remaining captive in Gaza.
In response, Hamas accused Israel of violating the original agreement they had reached in January.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has significantly deteriorated in the past weeks, exacerbated by Israel’s refusal to allow aid into the Gaza Strip since 2 March, marking the longest embargo on humanitarian aid since the start of the war.
The United Nations recently announced its decision to scale down operations in Gaza, following the killing of eight Palestinian medics, six Civil Defence first responders, and a UN staff member by Israeli forces in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military’s campaign to dismantle Hamas was sparked by an unprecedented cross-border attack on 7 October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 people.
To date, more than 50,399 people have lost their lives in Gaza during the ongoing conflict, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
