Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a stark warning on Friday, asserting that Israel might annex portions of the Gaza Strip if Hamas militants do not release the remaining hostages held in the war-ravaged area. This statement comes as Israeli forces intensified their military operations, which resumed on Tuesday after a brief period of relative calm following a ceasefire on January 19.
A source close to the ongoing ceasefire negotiations revealed to AFP that mediators from Egypt and Qatar have presented Hamas with a proposal aimed at re-establishing a truce. This proposal reportedly includes a timeline for exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners and stipulates the entry of vital humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been largely restricted by Israel since March 2.
Since the recommencement of airstrikes, Israel claims to have executed a series of extensive bombings on Gaza, which they argue is a response to stalled negotiations after the expiration of the initial ceasefire stage earlier this month. As reported by Gaza’s civil defense agency, the ongoing bombardment has resulted in a rising death toll, with 11 people reportedly killed on Friday alone. This includes three casualties from pre-dawn strikes and eight during the day, bringing the total to 504 deaths since the renewed attacks began, marking one of the deadliest periods in the ongoing conflict.
In a statement, Katz emphasized the government’s resolve by directing the military to expand territorial control in Gaza. He stated, “The more Hamas refuses to free the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will be annexed by Israel.” He further warned that failure to comply could lead to the implementation of expanded buffer zones to ensure the safety of Israeli civilians and military personnel through a sustained Israeli occupation.
The military has also urged residents in specific southern Gaza neighborhoods, including Al-Salatin, Al-Karama, and Al-Awda, to evacuate in anticipation of further strikes. The scene on the ground paints a grim picture, with images showing residents fleeing their homes, carrying their belongings on donkey carts amidst debris-laden streets.
In a notable recent military operation, Israeli forces claimed responsibility for killing the head of Hamas military intelligence in southern Gaza, underscoring their commitment to escalating operations against suspected Hamas officials. This renewed military push, coordinated with the administration of US President Donald Trump, has garnered international criticism. In a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Britain, they called for an immediate return to a ceasefire, labeling the renewed strikes as a significant regression in regional stability.
Amid these developments, Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned what it described as a “deliberate” assault on a hospital constructed with Turkish assistance in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded, asserting that the facility targeted was being used as a cover for Hamas operations. The health ministry in Gaza condemned the strike, referring to it as a “heinous crime” against what was deemed a critical medical facility for cancer patients.
As tensions escalate, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed concern about the government’s military actions, highlighting the moral imperative to prioritize the safe return of hostages. Protests have erupted in Jerusalem, with demonstrators accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing military operations that jeopardize the lives of hostages still held by Hamas.
Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, 58 remain unaccounted for, including 34 who the Israeli military claims are believed to be deceased.
Simultaneously, Israel’s military reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen, marking the fourth such incident since the latest aerial campaign began. These launches follow threats from Houthi rebels, who have vowed to escalate attacks in solidary with the Palestinian people amid Israel’s intensified strikes. The group claimed to have targeted Ben Gurion airport with a ballistic missile, cautioning that Israeli airspace would remain unsafe “until the aggression against Gaza stops.”
Katz reiterated Israel’s determination to heighten military pressure, employing aerial, naval, and ground assaults, insisting that the operations would persist until hostages are released and Hamas is ultimately defeated, alongside references to Trump’s proposals for redeveloping Gaza as a Mediterranean resort following a potential relocation of its Palestinian residents to other Arab nations.
