Israel Expands Military Operation in Gaza, Aiming to Seize More Territory
By Patricia Renee
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has declared a significant escalation in the country’s military campaign in Gaza, announcing plans to seize “large areas” of the besieged territory. The move, he said, is aimed at establishing new “security zones” and rooting out what Israel describes as terrorist elements and infrastructure.
The intensified operation is expected to trigger another mass evacuation of Palestinian civilians. Already, tens of thousands have been ordered to leave their homes, with the city of Rafah witnessing an exodus following evacuation directives issued earlier this week.
The announcement comes amid mounting violence. Overnight air strikes and shelling—particularly near the Egyptian border—have left at least 15 Palestinians dead, according to local hospital reports. The scenes of destruction have sparked fears of a looming full-scale ground invasion.
Israel’s renewed offensive, which began on 18 March, followed what it called Hamas’s rejection of a U.S.-backed proposal to extend the ceasefire and secure the release of 59 Israeli hostages still believed to be held in Gaza. Hamas has denied the claims, accusing Israel of violating the earlier January agreement.
Criticism has been growing both internationally and within Israel. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed horror at the news of the expanded military push, urging the government to prioritize securing the safe return of all hostages.
Despite his hardline stance, Katz encouraged Palestinians to act against Hamas to help free the hostages—though he did not elaborate on how civilians could feasibly do so under siege conditions.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to spiral. Israel has blocked humanitarian aid from entering the enclave since 2 March, marking the longest such blockade since the conflict began. The UN has significantly scaled down its operations in the area following the deaths of eight medics, six first responders, and one UN staff member in an Israeli strike last month.
The conflict was reignited on 7 October 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise cross-border attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 taken hostage. In the months since, more than 50,399 people have been killed in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.
As military tensions intensify and more territory in Gaza comes under Israeli control, calls for a renewed diplomatic push are growing louder. However, with both sides locked in a blame game and hostilities escalating, prospects for peace remain dim.
