Egypt Daily News – The Israeli Defense minister, Israel Katz, stated on Friday that the army will permanently control parts of the Gaza Strip until Hamas releases the remaining detainees, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Seizing Additional Areas in Gaza and Evacuating Residents
Katz said: “I have instructed the Israeli army to seize additional areas in Gaza, evacuate residents, and expand security zones around Gaza to protect population centers and army soldiers. The more Hamas insists on refusing to release the hostages, the more land it will lose, which will be annexed to Israel.”
He concluded his remarks by saying: “If the hostages are not released, Israel will continue seizing more and more land in the Strip for permanent control.”
On Thursday, Katz approved further military operations in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of maintaining military pressure until the detainees are released. Later, the Israeli army announced that it had four separate forces operating simultaneously in each of Gaza’s main areas.
The first steps of the ground invasion began on Wednesday when tanks and infantry entered central Gaza through the Netzarim corridor, effectively isolating northern Gaza from the south.
Hamas Halts Prisoner Talks Following Israeli Airstrikes
Meanwhile, a source involved in mediation efforts announced on Friday that Hamas had cut off communications and suspended negotiations on a potential prisoner release deal following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to the Israeli newspaper “Ynet.”
The source, from one of the mediating countries, stated that discussions regarding the release of a limited number of detainees had stopped. Reportedly, Hamas insists on returning to the original agreement signed a few months ago.
These comments come a day after Israeli officials expressed optimism that “Israel is beginning to see signs of a shift in Hamas’ stance.”
