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 hostages 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.
