Israel’s military is expanding its operation in the besieged Gaza Strip to seize large areas as it continues amid fears of famine in the war zone. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the Israeli offensive in the Palestinian territory was expanding to crush and clean the area of militants, seizing large areas to be added to the security zones of the State of Israel.
He called on Gaza residents to expel Hamas and return all Israeli hostages, which the militant group has kept in captivity since Oct. 7, 2023. The Gaza-based group holds 59 captives, including 24 who are believed to be still alive. Katz said this was the only way to end the war.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they aim to maintain an open-ended but unspecific security control of the Gaza Strip once it achieves its aim of crushing Hamas. However, the Hostages Families Forum is horrified by the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. It said the Israeli government is obliged to free all 59 hostages from Hamas captivity and pursue every possible channel to advance a deal for their release.
The group said the hostages’ lives hang in the balance as more disturbing details continue to emerge about the horrific conditions, chained, abused, and in desperate need of medical attention, they are being held. The Forum reiterated its highest priority – to bring all the hostages home, living for rehabilitation and proper burial for those killed.
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No Breakthrough in Talks To End Israel – Hamas Gaza Strip War
Since Israel launched its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 23, 2023, over 140,000 people have been displaced, and more than 90 percent of the strip’s population of 2.3 million have been forced to flee their homes. The recent ceasefire deal was short-lived as Israel pressed Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
Qatar and Egypt have tried to end the war but to no avail. Israel’s military operations in Gaza has killed at least 50,357 people, majority of them innocent civilians, including children and women.
