Israeli Defense Minister’s Annexation Threat
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that Israel plans to annex portions of the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not release the remaining Israeli hostages being held in the area. This declaration coincides with escalating Israeli military operations in Gaza that began on Tuesday.
Military Operations in Gaza Intensify
Katz remarked, “I have ordered the IDF to capture more land in Gaza.” He continued, “The more Hamas refuses to release the hostages, the more territory it risks losing, which will be annexed to Israel.”
The Israeli military has persisted with its assaults on Gaza, having effectively terminated a two-month ceasefire earlier this week. Health officials in Gaza indicated that as of Thursday, 504 individuals had died since the fighting resumed.
Casualties and Hostages
During the terror attacks on October 7, 2023, Hamas and other militants reportedly killed around 1,200 individuals and took 251 hostages, with 59 still being held captive by Hamas and other militant groups. Israeli officials believe that 24 of these hostages are still alive.
‘Catastrophic’ Medical Situation in Gaza
Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, an Australian doctor working in the region, described medical conditions in Gaza as “catastrophic” as conflict reignites. He stated, “We are running low on medicine and antibiotics, facing severe shortages of resources, medical equipment, and even basic items such as blood pressure cuffs and oxygen tanks.” He added that the ongoing fuel shortage complicates the transportation of patients between healthcare facilities, exacerbating mortality rates.
Call from Former Hostages
In a letter, forty former hostages and 250 family members of hostages urged Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration to cease military operations and negotiate with Hamas for the release of the remaining 59 hostages. The letter expressed the desperation of families who have lost loved ones and called for negotiations, warning that military actions could jeopardize the safety of the remaining hostages.
International Demand for Ceasefire
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement demanding an “immediate return to a ceasefire.” They expressed horror over civilian casualties and described the resumption of Israeli airstrikes as a significant setback. Their statement emphasized the need for Israel to restore humanitarian access and called for Hamas to release the detained hostages.
Negotiations Regarding Ceasefire
After reinstating military operations in Gaza, Netanyahu announced that discussions regarding the next phase of a ceasefire would continue under the current circumstances. Hamas has indicated that it is reviewing a proposal from the U.S. to extend the ceasefire. The plan aims to last until April, allowing for further negotiations for a permanent ceasefire. However, while Israel seeks an extension of the current ceasefire terms, Hamas remains focused on the conditions agreed upon in January, which stipulate the release of all hostages in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces.
