Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced plans to expand military operations in Gaza, seizing what he described as “large areas” to establish new security zones.
Katz said the expansion aims to “destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure,” prompting a large-scale evacuation of Palestinian residents.
The announcement on Wednesday follows reports of intensified air strikes and shelling along the Egypt border, as well as mounting speculation about a new Israeli ground offensive. Local hospitals in Gaza reported that at least 15 Palestinians were killed overnight amid ongoing military activity.
The planned territorial expansion follows Israel’s previous moves to increase the buffer zone around Gaza and seize a strategic corridor cutting through the territory’s center. The Israeli military has also ordered around 140,000 residents in Rafah to evacuate, while new evacuation notices have been issued in northern Gaza.
Israel’s renewed offensive began on March 18, following the collapse of a US-mediated ceasefire proposal. Israel accused Hamas of rejecting the deal while Hamas claimed Israel had violated the original agreement signed in January.
The escalation has raised significant humanitarian concerns, as Israel has blocked all aid from entering the Gaza Strip since March 2, marking the longest aid suspension since the conflict began. The United Nations scaled back its operations last month after several aid workers and medics were killed by Israeli forces in southern Gaza.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel expressed dismay over the expanded military operation, urging the government to prioritize securing the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. In his statement, Katz called on Gazans to take action against Hamas and help free the remaining captives, but did not specify how this should be achieved.
The conflict traces back to an unprecedented Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. Israel’s military campaign has since aimed to dismantle Hamas, with the death toll in Gaza surpassing 50,399, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Tensions have further escalated as Israel continues to reinforce its buffer zones and military presence. Reports indicate that Israeli forces have intensified strikes on areas near the Egypt border, sparking fears of further displacement among Gaza residents.
Calls for a humanitarian ceasefire have intensified from international organizations, with the United Nations and human rights groups warning of a severe crisis. The ongoing aid blockade has led to widespread shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, exacerbating the suffering of civilians caught in the conflict.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire have stalled amid accusations from both sides. As the Israeli military operation expands, international pressure is mounting for both restraint and renewed negotiations to alleviate the humanitarian toll.
The situation remains fluid as Israel pushes forward with its strategy to establish new security zones in Gaza while confronting global calls for de-escalation and humanitarian relief.
