Israel to seize more ground if hostages are not released ee

Israel’s defence minister has told the military to seize additional areas in Gaza” and threatened to permanently occupy parts of it if Hamas does not free all remaining hostages.

- RACHEL CLUN

Israel Katz said that the military would continue its ground operation in Gaza with increasing intensity” until all of the hostages “both living and dead” were returned.

“We will intensify the fighting with strikes from the air, sea and land and by expanding the ground manoeuvre until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated,” Mr Katz said. “The more Hamas continues its refusal to release the kidnapped, the more territory it will lose to Israel”.

It is believed that there are 59 hostages still held in Gaza, but a significant number are thought to be dead. The war inside Gaza was triggered by an attack by Hamas inside Israel on 7 October 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 people taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed 49,000 Palestinians according to the enclave’s health ministry and forced 90 per cent of its 2.3 million residents from their homes.

A temporary, first phase of a ceasefire ended at the start of this month. The truce agreed to in mid-January was a three-phase plan meant to lead to a long-term cessation of hostilities, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the return of all hostages taken by Hamas.