Israel Expands Gaza Offensive Amid Stalled Ceasefire Talks

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has directed the military to capture more areas in Gaza, warning that some regions may be permanently occupied if Hamas does not release all remaining hostages.

Katz emphasized that Israel's military operations in Gaza would intensify until the return of all hostages, both alive and deceased. Reports indicate that 24 of the 59 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive, though their fate remains uncertain after negotiations for the next phase of a ceasefire failed to advance.

The temporary ceasefire, which had been in place since January, collapsed this week as Israel resumed airstrikes and ground assaults across Gaza, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.

Escalating Crisis in Gaza as Israel Expands Military Operations

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been described as "gravely, gravely concerning," with "absolutely desperate tragedies occurring all over Gaza," according to Sam Rose of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

Israel and the US have accused Hamas of rejecting ceasefire extension proposals, while Hamas maintains it is "engaging with the mediators with full responsibility and seriousness."

On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the more Hamas refuses to release hostages, "the more territory it will lose to Israel." He confirmed that Israel remains committed to a US-backed proposal for a hostage release in two phases, with a ceasefire in between.

Katz also vowed to intensify military operations, stating, "We will escalate the fighting with strikes from air, sea, and land, expanding our ground offensive until the hostages are released and Hamas is defeated."

Additionally, Katz announced that Israel would implement former US President Donald Trump's "voluntary transfer plan" for Gaza residents. Trump has previously stated his intention for the US to take control of Gaza, rebuild it, and relocate its two million Palestinian inhabitants.

Gaza Conflict Deepens as Ceasefire Talks Collapse

The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have rejected any proposals to alter Gaza’s status, declaring that the territory is "not for sale." Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that any forced displacement of civilians from occupied land is prohibited under international law and "tantamount to ethnic cleansing."

Ceasefire negotiations, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, initially proposed a three-phase truce. However, Israel and Hamas failed to reach an agreement on extending the first phase. The talks collapsed when the US and Israel sought to prolong stage one, a move Hamas condemned as a "blatant attempt" to "evade the agreement."

The ceasefire was shattered on Tuesday when Israel launched a series of intense airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in over 430 deaths within two days, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. In response, Hamas fired three rockets toward Tel Aviv on Thursday.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer blamed Hamas for the renewed violence, stating the group had "rejected every hostage deal." Israel maintains that Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.

US Blames Hamas as Fighting in Gaza Intensifies

The acting US ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, directly blamed Hamas for the ongoing war and the collapse of ceasefire negotiations, telling the UN Security Council on Friday that "every death would have been avoided had Hamas accepted the bridge proposal."

Hamas has denied responsibility for stalling talks, stating that it remains "deeply involved" in discussions and is "engaging with the mediators with full responsibility and seriousness." In a Telegram statement, the group said it is reviewing the Witkoff proposal and other options to secure a prisoner exchange deal, end the war, and achieve an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that civilians would be evacuated from targeted areas. However, previous evacuation orders have caused panic among Palestinians, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times with few safe options remaining.

Since March, Israel has blocked food, fuel, and medical supplies from entering Gaza, claiming that Hamas has been diverting the aid—though it has not provided evidence to support this accusation.

Israel launched its military offensive following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, cross-border attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Since then, more than 49,500 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with widespread destruction across Gaza.

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