Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip have entered a new and more intense phase, with top Israeli officials vowing to expand the offensive until Hamas capitulates. Defense Minister Katz declared that “the gates of hell” have been opened in Gaza, emphasizing that the campaign will continue to escalate until Hamas agrees to Israel’s conditions, including the release of all hostages and a full disarmament.
In a televised statement, Katz confirmed that the Israeli army had issued evacuation orders for a multi-story building in Gaza City, signaling an imminent military operation. However, no details were provided about the nature of the building or the timing of the strike. “If Hamas refuses to accept our terms, it will face total destruction,” Katz warned.
According to the Israeli military, its forces have now taken control of approximately 40% of Gaza City, with plans to expand their operations to gain full control over the entire urban center. Army spokesperson BG Effie Defrin stated that the pressure on Hamas will intensify in the coming days, adding, “We are systematically dismantling their infrastructure.”
The expansion comes as part of “Operation Gideon Chariots,” which has seen tens of thousands of Israeli troops deployed with the stated objective of defeating Hamas in its stronghold. The military also announced the recovery of the remains of ten Israeli hostages during operations in recent days.
Brigadier General BG Effie Defrin, emphasized that “Gaza City is now officially a battlefield,” with certain areas declared “red zones.” These designations have been used to justify large-scale evacuations of Palestinian civilians from their homes in anticipation of what the army calls “fierce urban combat.”
Despite the mounting humanitarian toll, Israeli officials appear committed to a long-term military presence in Gaza. Reports in Israeli media cite senior defense officials saying the occupation of Gaza City could extend until 2026. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly pushed for permanent Israeli settlements in both Gaza and the West Bank, declaring that “no one in Gaza is innocent” and calling for full Israeli sovereignty over the Palestinian territories.
Meanwhile, Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir is reportedly backing the ongoing military campaign, despite speculation to the contrary. The Israeli military clarified that Halevi supports the strategic goal of controlling Gaza City and, if no post-war framework is developed, favors the establishment of a direct Israeli military administration in the territory.
These developments come as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches catastrophic levels. United Nations estimates suggest that nearly 200,000 Palestinians, from a population of around one million in Gaza City are refusing to evacuate, fearing permanent displacement or being caught in the crossfire.
The international response to Israel’s escalating actions has grown more critical. On Monday, the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS), the world’s largest academic body focused on the study of genocide, issued a formal statement asserting that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide under international law.
In a vote among its 500 members, 86% supported a resolution stating that “Israel’s policies and actions in Gaza satisfy the criteria for genocide as defined in Article II of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948).”
The resolution marks one of the strongest international academic condemnations of Israel’s conduct in Gaza to date, and adds to a growing body of legal, humanitarian, and political scrutiny.
As the conflict rages on, the toll on civilians continues to rise sharply. With neighborhoods flattened, infrastructure decimated, and vital services collapsing, Gaza’s residents are caught in a deadly impasse, facing daily bombardments while under siege. International organizations and humanitarian agencies continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, but Israeli leadership remains unmoved, insisting that its campaign will persist until what it calls “total victory” over Hamas is achieved.
