Israel Plans Major Expansion of Military Offensive in Gaza

Amid ongoing violence, Israel's military aims to reclaim territory as events unfold in Gaza following a recent wave of attacks.

Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, has declared that the Israeli military will intensify its offensive operations across the majority of Gaza in the coming days. This announcement follows the IDF's successful seizure of a "security zone" in the southern region, effectively separating the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. In response to recent projectiles fired from Gaza—claimed by Hamas—the Israeli military has issued evacuation orders for Khan Younis and its vicinity, preparing for imminent strikes.

The renewed offensive against Hamas, which commenced on March 18 after a two-month ceasefire ended, has caused extensive destruction in Gaza, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands. The IDF has taken control of key areas along Gaza's border, which they term a buffer zone intended to thwart attacks against Israel. Officials have indicated that this operation is aimed at pressuring Hamas to release the 59 remaining hostages thought to be in their custody, with 24 believed to be alive.

On Saturday, Katz confirmed the IDF’s successful takeover of the "Morag axis," a strategically important area linking Rafah and Khan Younis. This maneuver has effectively isolated Rafah from Khan Younis, further solidifying Israel's security presence in southern Gaza. Katz cautioned that the military’s activities would expand to additional regions across Gaza, urging civilians in these areas to evacuate before the escalation intensifies. "This is the last moment to remove Hamas, release the hostages, and bring an end to the conflict,” he stated.

Evacuations are also occurring in northern Gaza, particularly in areas like Beit Hanoun and the central Netzarim Corridor, as part of the effort to create a larger security zone. Responding to the evacuation orders, Hamas criticized the assault, stating that it risks the lives of innocent civilians and jeopardizes the safety of hostages.

The UN's human rights office recently pointed out that evacuation orders may violate international law, citing a lack of adequate accommodations for displaced civilians. Meanwhile, Israeli officials argue that these measures are crucial for safeguarding civilians from being used as "human shields" by Hamas, which they claim breaches international protocols.

As tensions escalate, the IDF announced that it intercepted three projectiles launched from Gaza on Saturday, with no reported injuries. In the last 24 hours, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported 21 fatalities and 64 injuries related to ongoing military actions. The situation in Gaza has been dire since hostilities reignited following a devastating attack on October 7, which resulted in substantial casualties and hostages taken, leading to a significant Israeli military response that has killed over 50,933 people, according to Gaza health officials.