Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened to seize more territories in Gaza if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages, ramping up military engagement following the breakdown of a ceasefire.
**Intensified Military Actions in Gaza as Israel Shifts Strategy**
**Intensified Military Actions in Gaza as Israel Shifts Strategy**
Israel's defense minister vows to escalate military operations to reclaim territory in Gaza amidst hostage negotiations.
The Israeli military is now under directive from Defense Minister Israel Katz to "seize additional areas in Gaza" should Hamas continue to withhold the release of all remaining hostages. Katz's statement, made on Friday, emphasizes a commitment to intensify ground operations until every hostage is accounted for, which he stated would include the deceased.
The recent shift in strategy further complicates an already volatile situation that saw the conflict reignited earlier this week when Israel ended a ceasefire that lasted since January, resuming airstrikes in the region. Katz expressed, "The more Hamas continues its refusal, the more territory it will lose to Israel," marking a significant escalation in the military campaign against the group.
During negotiations facilitated by US envoy Steve Witkoff, an initial proposal to free hostages in phases amidst a ceasefire was put forth, but progress stalled due to disagreements over terms. Following two days of renewed violence, where over 430 individuals were reported killed due to Israeli airstrikes, Hamas retaliated with rocket fire aimed at Tel Aviv.
The Israeli government holds Hamas culpable for the ceasefire's collapse, claiming that the group dismissed every negotiation attempt concerning hostages. Conversely, Hamas has defended its engagement in the negotiations, asserting its commitment to achieving a prisoner swap agreement and an end to hostilities.
Katz's warnings come alongside orders for civilian evacuations from targeted areas, raising concerns among the Palestinian population, many of whom have already faced repeated displacements. Since an unprecedented attack on October 7, which left about 1,200 Israelis dead, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 48,500 Palestinian casualties and widespread devastation across Gaza.
This latest episode arises amid a backdrop of international concern regarding forced displacement and the legal ramifications of any territorial claims made by Israel in Gaza, as echoed by the United Nations, which categorizes such actions as potentially amounting to ethnic cleansing.
The recent shift in strategy further complicates an already volatile situation that saw the conflict reignited earlier this week when Israel ended a ceasefire that lasted since January, resuming airstrikes in the region. Katz expressed, "The more Hamas continues its refusal, the more territory it will lose to Israel," marking a significant escalation in the military campaign against the group.
During negotiations facilitated by US envoy Steve Witkoff, an initial proposal to free hostages in phases amidst a ceasefire was put forth, but progress stalled due to disagreements over terms. Following two days of renewed violence, where over 430 individuals were reported killed due to Israeli airstrikes, Hamas retaliated with rocket fire aimed at Tel Aviv.
The Israeli government holds Hamas culpable for the ceasefire's collapse, claiming that the group dismissed every negotiation attempt concerning hostages. Conversely, Hamas has defended its engagement in the negotiations, asserting its commitment to achieving a prisoner swap agreement and an end to hostilities.
Katz's warnings come alongside orders for civilian evacuations from targeted areas, raising concerns among the Palestinian population, many of whom have already faced repeated displacements. Since an unprecedented attack on October 7, which left about 1,200 Israelis dead, the ongoing conflict has resulted in over 48,500 Palestinian casualties and widespread devastation across Gaza.
This latest episode arises amid a backdrop of international concern regarding forced displacement and the legal ramifications of any territorial claims made by Israel in Gaza, as echoed by the United Nations, which categorizes such actions as potentially amounting to ethnic cleansing.
