Israeli Defence Minister Approves Continued Gaza Offensive Plans

Synopsis

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has given the green light for operational plans aimed at continuing military actions in the Gaza Strip. He emphasizes the urgency of hostage recovery and warns of severe repercussions for Hamas if they do not comply. Renewed air and ground assaults have resulted in significant casualties.

Key Takeaways

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has approved continued offensive plans in Gaza.
The primary focus is on recovering hostages.
Hamas faces severe consequences for not releasing hostages.
Resumed military actions have led to significant Palestinian casualties.
Egypt has proposed a new ceasefire plan involving hostage exchanges.

Jerusalem, March 25 (NationPress) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that he has sanctioned operational strategies aimed at continuing the offensive in the Gaza Strip.

“I came here today to closely observe the fighting and preparations on the ground ahead of upcoming decisions,” Katz stated during his visit to the Gaza Division, based at Re'im Camp near the border.

“Our main goal now is to bring all hostages home,” he emphasized.

Katz cautioned that if Hamas fails to release the remaining hostages, “it will pay increasingly heavy prices in territorial losses and the targeting of militants and terror infrastructure, until its complete defeat.”

During its assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, Hamas took 251 hostages. As per Israeli figures, 59 hostages are still in Gaza, with 35 presumed deceased.

A phased ceasefire agreement commenced on January 19, following 15 months of Israel’s severe campaign against Gaza. The first phase includes the release of 33 hostages and around 2,000 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. All remaining living hostages are anticipated to be freed in the second phase, in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and additional Palestinian releases.

However, Israel has declined to enter the second phase and resumed air and ground assaults on Gaza on March 18, which, according to the latest reports from Gaza health authorities, have resulted in the deaths of 792 Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the offensive was renewed because Hamas rejected proposals to extend the initial ceasefire.

In retaliation, Hamas launched several rockets targeting Israeli territory, most of which were intercepted, according to Israeli reports.

On Monday, two well-informed Egyptian security sources informed Xinhua news agency that Egypt had put forward a new “urgent” proposal to both Israel and Hamas, suggesting that “Hamas will first release five living Israeli hostages, including an Israeli-American soldier, in exchange for a 40-day ceasefire to facilitate discussions on the second phase.”

Hamas reportedly accepted Egypt’s new proposal, although it remains unclear if a response has been provided by the Israeli side.