Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced that the military will expand its operation in Gaza, seizing “large areas” of the territory in a move that could escalate the ongoing conflict.
In a statement on Wednesday, Katz said the expanded military offensive aims to “destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure”, adding that seized areas would be incorporated into Israeli security zones.
Katz also stated that the expansion would require a large-scale evacuation of Palestinians, urging them to eliminate Hamas and facilitate the return of Israeli hostages. He insisted that this was the only way to bring the war to an end.
The Israeli military has reportedly already begun ground operations in Rafah overnight, following warnings last week that it would soon operate with “full force” in additional parts of Gaza.
Israel launched its renewed Gaza offensive on 18 March, blaming Hamas for rejecting a US-backed ceasefire proposal that aimed to extend the truce and free the 59 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. However, Hamas accused Israel of violating a previous ceasefire agreement reached in January.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza have significantly deteriorated. Israel has blocked aid deliveries since 2 March, marking the longest restriction since the war began.
Last month, the United Nations reduced its operations in the region after an Israeli attack killed eight Palestinian medics, six Civil Defence first responders, and a UN staff member in southern Gaza.
The conflict began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military campaign to destroy Hamas.
Since then, over 50,399 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with thousands more displaced as fighting continues.
With Israel now expanding its operations and tensions escalating, the war shows no signs of ending soon, raising fears of further civilian casualties and worsening humanitarian conditions in the region.
Chioma Kalu
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