Israeli military operation in Gaza expands to seize “large regions”: “expand to crush and clean regions”
Israeli military attack The Gaza Strip is expanding to “crush” Hamas terrorist regions and to seize “large regions,” Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Wednesday.
In a statement, Katz said the military operations are “expanding to crush and clean up terrorist and terrorist infrastructure areas and seize large areas that will be added to Israel’s security zones.”
Israel’s security boundaries, running along the border between northern and eastern Gaza, have been used for decades as a way to protect citizens living near their territory.
It is unclear which areas of Gaza will be seized in the expanded operation, and Katz said it includes “large evacuations” of people in areas where the fighting is occurring.
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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip are expanding to seize “large regions.” (Reuters/Lonenswrun)
The minister called on the Gaza population to “exile Hamas and return all hostages.” The terrorist group still has 59 hostages, including 24 people thought to be still alive. Most of the other prisoners were released on ceasefire contracts or other transactions.
“This is the only way to end the war,” Katz said.
The Hostage Family Forum, which represents most of the hostage families, said it was “terrifying to wake up this morning to the Minister of Defense’s announcement regarding the expansion of military operations in Gaza.”
The Israeli government “is obligated to release all 59 hostages from Hamas prisoners. We are obligated to pursue every channel in order to pursue all possible channels for their release,” the group emphasized that every day is increasing the risk of the lives of prisoners.
“Their lives depend on balance as more and more disturbing details continue to emerge about the horrifying situation they are being held.
The evacuated Palestinians will carry water to Jabariya in the Gaza Strip on Monday, March 31, 2025. (AP)
“Our top priority must be an immediate deal to bring all hostages home. People killed for living for rehabilitation and proper burial — and end this war.”
The Forum also called on the Trump administration and other intermediaries to “continue to put pressure on Hamas for the immediate release of our loved ones.”
“Our top priority must be an immediate deal to bring all hostages home. People killed for living for rehabilitation and proper burial — and end this war,” the group said.
Israel continued to attack the Gaza Strip. Khan YounisAccording to hospital staff.
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The evacuated Palestinians will carry their belongings to the outskirts of Gaza on Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP)
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Officials at Nasser Hospital said the bodies of 12 people killed in the overnight airstrike were brought to the hospital, including five women (one of whom was pregnant) and two children. Officials at Gaza European Hospital said five people killed in two separate airstrikes were taken to the hospital.
The war began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas launched Surprising attack It killed about 1,200 people and sought 251 others against Israel.
Israel’s retaliatory attacks have killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of people killed in airstrikes, since the ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to the Hamas government’s Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between citizens and terrorists. Israel claims it killed around 20,000 terrorists in the war without providing evidence.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.