Israel expands ground operations in Gaza 'to crush' Hamas

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced a major expansion of the military's operations in the Gaza Strip which aims to "crush and cleanse the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure."

The minister said on Wednesday the operation will "seize large areas that will be added to Israel’s security zones," without giving further details.

The military has deployed an additional unit for the expansion of operations in southern Gaza, according to media reports.

The defence minister called on residents of the coastal strip "to act now to remove Hamas and return all the hostages. This is the only way to end the war."

Katz had warned last month that Israel would permanently take over parts of Gaza if Hamas unless the remaining hostages are freed.

Recently, the Israeli military had called on the residents of the southern city of Rafah and neighbouring towns to evacuate.

Following months of conflict, a ceasefire took effect in Gaza on January 19, prompting many displaced residents to return home.

In mid-March, Israel resumed its massive air attacks after no agreement was reached with Hamas on the conditions for an extension of the ceasefire.

Since then, Israel has also launched ground operations against the Palestinian militants in Rafah, and on Saturday it reportedly extended the offensive to a second neighbourhood.

The aim of the new ground offensive in is also to establish a buffer zone along the borders of the coastal area, Israel said.

The war erupted after Hamas and other extremist groups attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza, more than 50,100 people have been killed so far, a third of them children and young people.

The figures cannot be independently verified. However, international organizations such as the UN consider them to be largely credible.