Israel threatens to expand Gaza buffer zone
Photo: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz (Getty Images)
Israeli forces may expand the "security zone" along the Gaza border if Hamas continues to refuse to release hostages, Defense Minister Israel Katz said, according to The Times of Israel.
"If the Hamas terror organization continues to refuse to release the hostages, I instructed the IDF to capture additional areas, evacuate the population, and expand the security zone around Gaza for the protection of Israeli communities and IDF soldiers, through a permanent hold of the area by Israel," he emphasized.
He warned that as long as Hamas refuses to release the hostages, it will continue to lose land, which "will be added to Israel."
The Defense Minister added that Israel will "intensify" its operations against Hamas, including "through the expansion of the ground maneuver until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated."
Katz also stated that Israel will use "all military and civilian pressure, including evacuation of the Gaza population south and implementing US President Trump’s voluntary migration plan for Gaza residents".
Ceasefire violation
Active hostilities have recently resumed between Israel and Hamas. The reason is that the militants refuse to hand over hostages to Israel.
Against this backdrop, Israeli troops have launched a series of strikes against militant targets in the Gaza Strip.
For more details on why Hamas is delaying the hostage exchange process, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.
