JERUSALEM – Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip is expanding to seize “large areas” of the Gaza Strip, the defense minister said Wednesday.
Israel’s military operation in the Palestinian territory aims to eliminate terrorists and their infrastructure, as well as to expand security zones within the State of Israel, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Minister Katz urged residents of Gaza to remove the Hamas militants from power and free all hostages. Currently, Hamas continues to hold 59 captives, with 24 individuals still believed to be alive after some were released through ceasefire agreements and negotiations.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when militants associated with Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages.
Israel’s offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since a ceasefire ended about two weeks ago, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.
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