“Israel Threatens to Seize Gaza Land as Tensions Rise Over Hostage Crisis”
Jerusalem: Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has warned that the country may annex parts of Gaza unless Hamas releases the remaining Israeli hostages. This comes as Israel intensifies its military operations in the war-torn region, breaking the fragile calm that had existed since a January 19 ceasefire.
Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that Israeli airstrikes killed 11 people on Friday—three in the early hours of the morning and eight more during the day. The renewed offensive has already claimed 504 lives since it began on Tuesday, making it one of the deadliest escalations in the 17-month-long conflict that started with Hamas’s attack on Israel.
“I have ordered the army to seize more territory in Gaza,” Katz declared. “The more Hamas refuses to release the hostages, the more land it will lose to Israel.” He also threatened to expand buffer zones around Gaza, saying it would serve as a protective measure for Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Meanwhile, Israeli military forces urged residents in Al-Salatin, Al-Karama, and Al-Awda to evacuate their homes ahead of planned strikes. “For your safety, head south toward the known shelters immediately,” warned Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee. Images from northern Gaza showed families fleeing with their belongings loaded onto donkey carts as they navigated roads covered in rubble.
Growing International Concerns
The intensified bombing campaign follows a deadlock in indirect negotiations over a truce extension. Israel’s renewed military operations were reportedly coordinated with US President Donald Trump’s administration but have sparked international condemnation.
Turkey strongly criticized Israel for a strike on a Turkish-funded hospital in Gaza, calling it a “deliberate attack.” Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced concern over the latest developments during a phone call with Qatar’s ruler, a key mediator in past ceasefire efforts.
In Israel, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Jerusalem, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prioritizing military action over the safety of the hostages. President Isaac Herzog also expressed unease, saying, “It is unthinkable to resume fighting while still pursuing the sacred mission of bringing our hostages home.”
Out of the 251 people kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack, 58 remain in captivity, with the Israeli military confirming that 34 of them have died.
Escalating Conflict on Both Sides
On Friday, Israel’s military intercepted two projectiles fired from northern Gaza toward the southern city of Ashkelon. The previous day, Hamas claimed responsibility for launching rockets at Tel Aviv, marking its first significant response to Israel’s renewed assault. The Israeli military intercepted one of the rockets, while two others landed in uninhabited areas.
Katz stated that Israel would intensify its operations across air, sea, and ground until the hostages are freed and Hamas is defeated. He also referenced Trump’s proposal to redevelop Gaza into a Mediterranean resort, with the potential relocation of its Palestinian residents to neighboring Arab nations.
When questioned about efforts to reinstate a ceasefire, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that President Trump “fully supports” Israel’s military actions.
Israel has rejected negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire, instead demanding the immediate return of all hostages before any further discussions. Hamas, in turn, has dismissed this demand as an attempt to rewrite the original agreement.
With no clear resolution in sight, the situation remains dire, as both sides brace for further escalation in an already devastating conflict.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
