The Israeli defense minister said Hamas had instructed the troops to “grab more ground” in Gaza, threatening to annex some of the territory, unless Hamas released the 59 Israeli hostages that are not yet held in the devastated territory.
Israel Katz’s Friday warning came when the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) bolstered a new attack launched on Tuesday.
Additionally, “non-stop” attacks took place overnight in most of Gaza. “It’s all day, all night. Drones, planes, artillery, tanks… always. It’s worse than ever,” said one Gaza-based aid worker.
After reacquiring part of the strategic Neszarim corridor, which divides the north of Gaza from the south, Israeli forces proceeded towards the north town of Beitrahiya and into the tropical border city of Rafa.
Israeli officials have recently escalated their threats and called on Palestinians in Gaza to overthrow Hamas or face consequences.
“I have ordered (the Army) to seize more territory in Gaza,” Katz said in a statement. “The more Hamas refuses to release the hostages, the more it refuses to lose territory, which will be annexed by Israel.”
Katz also threatened “by expanding the buffer zone around Gaza to protect Israeli civilian population areas and soldiers and implementing permanent Israeli occupation of the region.”
The establishment of a wide range of buffer zones in Gaza, particularly along the northern boundaries, has long been considered by observers as a multitude of Israel’s security facilities and government purposes.
The Trump administration has repeatedly supported Israel this week, with White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt saying:
Gaza’s civil defense agency said Thursday that 504 people have been killed since the bombing resumed. More than 100 people have since died, and more injured have died, Palestinian medical officials said.
“This time it’s very, very, very bad. It’s very focused and very scary. It’s always uncertain when we’re worried about our loved ones. There are these threats that Israel will expand its operations,” said Amjad Shawaa, head of the Palestinian NGO network in Gaza.
The IDF said the new strike is against the targets of “terrorists.” “Terrorists” were being prepared to launch projectiles at Hamas military locations in northern Gaza,” and “several vessels in the coastal regions of the Gaza Strip… intended for use in terrorist operations by Hamas and Islamic jihad (armed groups).
It gave new evacuation orders for the northern coastal areas, and drove thousands more. The United Nations estimates that 124,000 people have been evacuated in Gaza since Tuesday, with about one in 20 of the population being evacuated.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Tank Shell was caused by an explosion that killed UN staff in Gaza and seriously injured four other people earlier this week, aiding authorities told the Guardian. The IDF denied all responsibility for the explosion at the UN guesthouse in the central town of Deir Al-Balah.
A three-phase ceasefire was agreed in January, but Israel refused to begin consultations on the implementation of the second phase. This was thought to lead to a return of all hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a lasting end to hostilities.
Instead, Israel proposed a new plan reportedly submitted by US envoy Steve Witkov, which includes a 30-60-day ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages. Israel has not mentioned the release of more Palestinian prisoners, an important element of the first stage.
Hamas said Friday that Witkov’s proposals and other proposals by intermediaries, including Egypt, are still being discussed. On Thursday, the group launched rockets at coastal cities along the Israeli coast and commercial hub Tel Aviv, in its first military response to Israeli attacks. Israeli forces said one was intercepted by air defense systems and two collided with unmanned areas.
New violence in Gaza is set against the backdrop of Israel’s internal turmoil. Israel’s internal turmoil has attracted thousands of protesters recently, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of weakening Israel’s democratic system and attempting to resume military operations without considering hostage security to strengthen its political position.
On Friday, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the government to temporarily suspend the firing of Lonenber, head of Sinbet’s internal security services, until the appeal is heard by April 8th. Netanyahu previously cited “distrust” to justify the looting of the bar, but the Israeli Attorney General has determined that there is no legal basis for the Cabinet’s dismissal.
A recent simbet report on the Hamas attack on October 7 confirmed the service’s failure but accused Netanyahu’s government of pursuing policies that established some of the conditions for the attack.
Before the IDF attack, Israel had already cut off its supply of food, fuel and humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The United Nations Relief Service for Palestinian Refugees, one of the largest food aids on the Strip, said Friday that there was only enough flour to distribute for the next six days.
Approximately 1,200 people, primarily Israeli civilians, died in a shocking Hamas attack in October 2023. Subsequent attacks on Gaza by Israel killed more than 49,000 people, mostly civilians.
