The situation escalates as more Israeli ground and air assaults are threatened, with heavy casualties reported in Gaza.
**Escalating Conflict: Israel Intensifies Gaza Operations Amid Hostage Crisis**
**Escalating Conflict: Israel Intensifies Gaza Operations Amid Hostage Crisis**
Israel’s military prepares to extend its operations in Gaza amidst pressure on Hamas for hostages release.
Israel’s Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, has ramped up pressure on Hamas to release more hostages, warning that unless they comply, Israel will increase its territorial seizures and intensify military operations within Gaza. His remarks follow the breakdown of a cease-fire that had lasted over two months, leading to renewed bombardments and limited ground incursions that have reportedly resulted in over 500 Palestinian deaths since the offensive resumed late last week.
“The more Hamas refuses to act, the more territory it will lose,” Katz declared, stressing the urgency of hostage negotiations. However, there were no reports of significant Israeli military actions on Friday morning, and mediators are striving to prevent the escalating violence from spiraling into a full-blown war. Hamas acknowledged that discussions continue to revive the earlier truce, which was established in January, yet they maintain that any release of hostages must include a commitment from Israel to permanently end hostilities, a term that Israel is hesitant to agree to while Hamas remains in power.
In the past few days, Israeli forces targeted various locations throughout Gaza, stating their operations focused on Hamas militants and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Israeli ground troops have reoccupied a crucial corridor in central Gaza from which they had previously withdrawn, and have expanded their military activities into both northern and southern regions of Gaza.
“The more Hamas refuses to act, the more territory it will lose,” Katz declared, stressing the urgency of hostage negotiations. However, there were no reports of significant Israeli military actions on Friday morning, and mediators are striving to prevent the escalating violence from spiraling into a full-blown war. Hamas acknowledged that discussions continue to revive the earlier truce, which was established in January, yet they maintain that any release of hostages must include a commitment from Israel to permanently end hostilities, a term that Israel is hesitant to agree to while Hamas remains in power.
In the past few days, Israeli forces targeted various locations throughout Gaza, stating their operations focused on Hamas militants and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Israeli ground troops have reoccupied a crucial corridor in central Gaza from which they had previously withdrawn, and have expanded their military activities into both northern and southern regions of Gaza.
