IDF Gaza Israel. A Palestinian woman reacts amidst the rubble of a building in an area targeted during Israeli strikes in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 2, 2025. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on April 2, a major expansion of military operations in Hamas-run Gaza, saying the army would seize "large areas" of the Palestinian territory. EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said his forces were launching a military operation in Gaza that would see it take control of "large areas".
The expanded offensive would see Israel's military "crush and clean the area" of militants, Katz said in a statement on Wednesday morning, and "seizing large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel."
The Israeli government has long maintained a buffer zone just inside Gaza along its security fence and has greatly expanded since the war against Hamas began in 2023 following the October 7 attack.
Israel says the buffer zone is needed for its security, while Palestinians view it as a land grab that further shrinks the narrow coastal territory, home to around 2 million people.
Katz didn't specify which areas of Gaza would be seized in the expanded operation, which he said includes the "extensive evacuation" of the population from fighting areas.
In a statement posted to X, Katz said the goal of the operation "is first and foremost to increase pressure for the release of all the hostages in the face of Hamas' refusal."
"Expanding the operation this morning will increase the pressure on the Hamas murderers and also on the population in Gaza and advance the achievement of the sacred and important goal for all of us," Katz said.
"I call on the residents of Gaza to act now to remove Hamas and return all the hostages. This is the only way to end the war."
The renewed offensive will put even more pressure on a Gazan population pushed to its limits by the war.
"After one year and a half of war that has exhausted everyone, children and their parents, too, are just worn out physically and mentally," said Rosalia Bollen, UNICEF's communication specialist.
This is a developing story and more information will be added soon.
This article uses reporting by The Associated Press.
Related Articles
Houthis Claim to Shoot Down US Drone in Response to Trump
Iran Makes Stark Threat to U.S. Forces in Middle East
Amid Endless War, Israelis and Palestinians Question Their Leaders
Hamas Accepts Ceasefire Plan As Israel Counters in Coordination With U.S.
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 6:14 AM.