Zionist Entity Escalates Military Offensive to Gain Control in Gaza Strip

Israel escalated its offensive on Wednesday, as Minister of Military Affairs Israel Katz revealed plans to seize significant areas to create what he defined as new security zones.

According to the announcement, the expansion seeks to dismantle the infrastructure of Hamas while intensifying efforts to secure the release of Israeli captives detained by the group in Gaza.

The Israeli Defense Forces have established a “buffer zone” inside Gaza, extending the region that previously existed along the borders. Additionally, they have incorporated a substantial area in the Netzarim Corridor, which runs through the central part of the territory.

On Monday, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for all inhabitants of Rafah in southern Gaza. By Tuesday, these forced displacement directives were extended to include Beit Hanoon, Beit Lahiya, and surrounding northern regions of the territory.

The Times of Israel reports that the military has deployed its 36th Division to Gaza, initiating an intensified offensive as troops entered the strip early Wednesday morning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the release of the 59 Israeli captives currently held in Gaza by Hamas, proposing an exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. However, Netanyahu has not made any commitment to cease hostilities or withdraw forces from the embattled region.

The families of Israeli captives have issued a statement on Wednesday, sharply criticizing Israel’s declaration of an increase in military operations, according to a report by The Times of Israel.

According to the statement, families expressed their shock and dismay upon waking up this morning to the news that the offensive in Gaza is set to broaden, aimed at seizing significant areas of land.

“Have the captives been chosen to be sacrificed for ‘territorial gains?'” questioned the families in a collective statement.

According to reports, rather than pursuing a deal to secure the release of captives and bring an end to the ongoing conflict, the Israeli authorities are allegedly deploying additional troops to Gaza. These forces are being sent to engage in combat within the same regions where hostilities have repeatedly occurred.

The ongoing offensive, marked by sweeping evacuations especially in Rafah and Khan Yunis, has resulted in considerable civilian displacement.

Israeli assaults on central and southern Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 21 Palestinians since early Wednesday, according to medical sources.

In Khan Yunis, a targeted strike by Israeli forces resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals. Additionally, a drone strike in areas north of Rafah claimed the lives of two more, raising the total number of fatalities to 14.

An Israeli airstrike in the vicinity of an UNRWA medical facility at the Jabalia refugee camp resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including three children.

The UK-based NGO, Hostages Families Forum, has expressed concerns that the intensifying aggression in Gaza could undermine efforts to secure the release of captives via diplomatic channels.

Reports from Tel Aviv suggest that the actions in Gaza imply that the release of captives may no longer be a top priority for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s cabinet.

Hamas has agreed to an Egyptian-mediated ceasefire proposal, which includes the release of five Israeli captives, one of whom holds dual US-Israeli citizenship, along with the remains of several deceased captives. This agreement initiates a 50-day cessation of hostilities.

Israel dismissed the proposal and put forward its own countermeasure. Soon after, Netanyahu announced that Israel was moving into the “final stage” of the conflict.