Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to capture more land in Gaza if Hamas refuses to release hostages. This threat of partial annexation follows the IDF’s resumption of the war in Gaza after a two-month ceasefire that saw the release of 33 hostages. Katz stated that the IDF will expand security zones around Gaza to protect Israeli communities and soldiers with Israeli control of the territory. If carried out, this would mark the largest shift in the status quo in Gaza in nearly two decades. Israel will continue Operation “Strength and Sword” with escalating intensity until hostages are freed and remains supportive of the proposal by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to remove all hostages from Gaza in two phases. The Trump administration is backing Israel’s military decisions, whereas the Biden administration had pressured for limits on civilian casualties. The internal political situation in Israel is also turbulent, with a vote to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet passing, leading to a temporary injunction from the Supreme Court to prevent the dismissal.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-orders-idf-seize-more-gaza-territory-hamas-doesnt-release-hostages