JERUSALEM/GAZA CITY – Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the military to seize additional areas in Gaza, warning that Israel could permanently occupy parts of the Strip if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages. The announcement comes as ceasefire negotiations have collapsed, leading to renewed violence in the war-torn enclave.
Katz stated on Friday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would intensify their operations “from the air, sea, and land” until all hostages, both living and dead, were returned. The directive follows Israel’s resumed bombing campaign, which began on Tuesday after a fragile ceasefire fell apart.
Ceasefire Breaks Down, Hundreds Killed
The temporary truce, in place since January, unraveled this week as Israel launched a wave of airstrikes, reportedly killing more than 430 people within two days, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
The escalation followed the failure of negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire deal, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt. It is believed that Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, of whom 24 are thought to be alive.
Efforts to secure their release have stalled over disagreements on extending the ceasefire and the conditions of a potential prisoner exchange. Israel and the US have accused Hamas of rejecting proposals, while Hamas claims it is engaging with mediators “with full responsibility and seriousness.”
Katz Issues “Last Warning” to Hamas
Katz reiterated that Israel remained open to a US-backed proposal involving a phased hostage release with a ceasefire in between. However, he warned that the more Hamas delayed negotiations, the more territory it would lose.
“We will expand our ground maneuver until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated,” Katz wrote in a statement. He also suggested that Israel would implement former US President Donald Trump’s proposal for the “voluntary transfer” of Gaza residents, a plan that has been widely condemned by Palestinian leaders and the UN.
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have firmly rejected any efforts to displace Gaza’s population, with the UN warning that forced removal of civilians from occupied territory is prohibited under international law and “tantamount to ethnic cleansing.”
Civilians in Crisis as Supplies Dwindle
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated further as Israel continues its blockade on food, fuel, and medical supplies. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) described the conditions as “gravely concerning,” with civilians facing “desperate tragedies all over Gaza.”
Since the war began on October 7, following Hamas’s unprecedented cross-border attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 taken hostage, over 49,500 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The widespread destruction has left much of the Strip in ruins, with displaced families struggling to find safety amid ongoing military operations.
Despite international calls for de-escalation, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with Israel vowing to continue its offensive and Hamas insisting it will not surrender. As the fighting intensifies, the fate of the remaining hostages and Gaza’s civilians hangs in the balance.