Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday a significant escalation of military operations in Gaza, including the seizure of large areas of land to be incorporated into Israel’s “security zones.”
The operation also involves a large-scale evacuation of
Gaza’s population from combat zones, though Katz did not provide specifics on
how this would be carried out.
“The
military operation will expand to crush and clear the area of terrorists and
terror infrastructure while seizing large areas that will be incorporated into
Israel’s security zone,” Katz stated.
As part of the expanded operation, Israel’s military ordered
residents in southern Gaza’s Rafah area to evacuate and move north. This comes
amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes, which have intensified since the ceasefire
with Hamas collapsed two weeks ago.
At least 17 people were killed in overnight airstrikes
in southern Gaza, according to medical officials from Nasser Hospital and the
European Hospital in Khan Younis. Among the dead, 13—including women and
children—were sheltering in a residential home after being displaced from
Rafah.
Israeli military planners have reportedly been preparing for
a full-scale ground offensive in Gaza, involving tens of thousands of troops.
While Katz’s statement did not confirm additional troop deployments, military
sources previously told CNN that Israel is considering a long-term presence in
parts of Gaza.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel’s newly appointed chief of
staff, has led the development of aggressive military plans that could see
Israel occupying Gaza for an extended period, potentially triggering prolonged
insurgencies.
However, a broader offensive faces resistance from many in
Israel. Public sentiment has shifted toward securing a hostage release deal
rather than escalating the war. The families of Israeli hostages expressed
outrage over the latest military expansion.
“Instead of
securing the release of the hostages through an agreement and ending the war,
the Israeli government is sending more soldiers into Gaza to fight in the same
places they have fought time and again,” the hostage families’ forum said in a
statement.
They have demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
Defense Minister Katz, and military leaders publicly explain how the expanded
operation serves the goal of bringing the remaining hostage’s home.
Despite the military escalation, diplomatic efforts to restore a ceasefire
are ongoing. Egypt and Qatar have intensified negotiations between Israel and
Hamas.
Hamas has reportedly agreed to a new Egyptian proposal that includes the
release of five hostages, including American-Israeli Edan Alexander, in
exchange for a renewed ceasefire. Israel responded with a counterproposal,
though details remain unclear.
The outcome of these negotiations could determine whether the conflict
continues to escalate or shifts toward de-escalation. For now, Israel’s
military operation in Gaza remains in full force, raising concerns about
further displacement, casualties, and the long-term consequences of the war.
0 Comments