West Asia Tensions: Israel Threatens To Annex Gaza Amid Fresh Rounds Of Airstrikes And Ground Offensives

Amid the fresh rounds airstrikes and ground offensives killing hundreds of Palestinians, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz on Friday instructed the military to “seize more ground” in Gaza and threatened to annex part of the territory if Hamas refuses to release remaining 59 Israeli hostages.

The latest developments come following the Israeli troops' invasion of the Shaboura area of Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city near the Egyptian border, and Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, late on Thursday.

Defence Minister Threatens Hamas

According to The Guardian, Katz said that Israeli forces would further intensify the military campaign against Hamas and would use "all military and civilian pressure, including evacuation of the Gaza population in south and implement United States President [Donald] Trump’s voluntary migration plan for Gaza residents".

Moreover, Katz also instructed the army “to seize additional areas in Gaza, evacuate the population and expand security zones around Gaza to protect Israeli communities and [Israeli army] soldiers”, local media quoted him as saying.

“The more Hamas persists in its refusal to release the hostages, the more territory it will lose, which will be annexed to Israel,” Katz was quoted by The Jerusalem Post newspaper as saying.

Airstrikes, Ground Offensives: Israel's Fresh Spell Of Attacks On Gaza

Israel's recent airstrikes on Gaza have resulted in over 400 Palestinian deaths, ending a ceasefire that had been in place since January. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the attacks due to stalled negotiations on hostage releases and Hamas's refusal to extend the ceasefire. 

Palestinians in north and south Gaza Strip, including new born babies, children and women died in the attack. The attacks were fired at dawn when majority of the population was sleeping.

Israeli troops have also moved towards the northern town of Beit Lahiya and into the southern border city of Rafah after recapturing part of the strategic Netzarim corridor that divides Gaza’s north from south.

Commenting on the death of 400 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that "It's only the beginning".

Meanwhile, in Israel, thousands of citizens have poured into the streets to demand an end to the war. Criticising the Netanyahu government and its policies, the protest comes as Israel ends the ceasefire in Gaza and resumed its attacks.

A day after resuming its war on Gaza, Israel has also launched a fresh ground invasion into the war-torn strip. As per reports, Israeli troops have advanced into Gaza and retaken a portion of the Netzarim corridor, which divides north and south Gaza.

After launching the ground invasion, the Israel Defence Forces issued an evacuation warning for civilians in the "combat zone."